"Research Assistant - Hollfelder (Fixed Term)"

Research Assistant - Hollfelder (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge - Department of Biochemistry

Location: Cambridge

Salary: £33,002 to £35,608 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 11th August 2025

Closes: 25th August 2025

Job Ref: PH46887

We are pleased to invite applications for an opportunity to work as a Research Assistant under the supervision of Professor Florian Hollfelder, in the Department of Biochemistry. We have two full-time positions available for this role.

The project is aimed at discovery of novel catalytic peptides and proteins, with an emphasis on the fundamental principles that define the origin of life. To this end ultrahigh throughput screening in microfluidic droplets will be used to find new functional peptides and proteins in large person-made and nature-inspired libraries, followed by analysis of their features (e.g. catalytic promiscuity and conformational diversity) that first give rise to 'evolvability' and subsequently to efficiency. Deep sequence datasets from droplet screening will be interpreted using machine learning/AI approaches and, together with classical physical-organic/structural/mechanistic approaches, teach us where in sequence space novel solutions for sustainable biocatalysis can be harvested.

Candidates should hold a BSc degree in Biochemistry or another relevant subject.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 6 months in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.

Informal enquiries are welcome to be sent to Professor Florian Hollfelder via: fh111@cam.ac.uk

For queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk