Research Associate

University of York - Department of Biology

Location: York

Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 9th September 2025

Closes: 22nd September 2025

Job Ref: 14372

Department

Research Associate in the Lichman Lab, Centre for Novel Agricultural Products, Department of Biology

Role

A full-time three-year post-doctoral research associate position is available in biochemistry. The role will involve the discovery, characterisation and engineering of enzymes from plants, alongside biocatalytic or synthetic biology approaches to produce commercially valuable compounds. The position is based in the laboratory of Dr Benjamin Lichman, a UKRI Future Leader Fellow at the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products. The Lichman lab take a multidisciplinary approach to understand and engineer plant natural product biosynthesis.

The post is part of a collaborative project with the Grogan and Unsworth groups in the Department of Chemistry and combines plant biology, chemistry and biocatalysis, with a long-term target to generate bio-based systems for the controlled production of valuable chemicals. This role will involve working as part of a team that will include a synthetic chemist post-doctoral researcher and a biology research technician.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

You should have a PhD in biochemistry or a similar subject.

Expertise with recombinant protein production/purification and enzyme biochemistry is essential, and experience with structural biology or synthetic biology or plant natural product biosynthesis is desirable.

Excellent communication skills are essential.

You should have a commitment to personal development, a collaborative ethos, and an enthusiasm for research related to biocatalysis, natural products and synthetic biology.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Benjamin Lichman, benjamin.lichman@york.ac.uk or for an alternative contact, please email biol-dmthub@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff.