Research Technician – Protein Biochemistry

University of Sussex - Life Sciences

Location: Falmer

Salary: £34,610 to £38,784 per annum, pro rata if part time, Grade 6

Hours: Full Time, Part Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 8th September 2025

Closes: 29th September 2025

Job Ref: 41559

About the role

You will join a Blood Cancer UK-funded project, to further understand mechanisms underlying the activation of cancer signalling pathways by tyrosine fusion kinases in Leukaemia, and their regulation by the HSP90 molecular chaperone system.

As a research assistant, you will carry out large-scale recombinant protein production to support the structural biology (X-ray crystallography and cryoEM) aspects of this project and perform subsequent biochemical and biophysical assays to probe assembly and activity of fusion kinases and their interactions with the molecular chaperone system, with the aim of probing new allosteric approaches to inhibit fusion kinase function.

Based in the School of Life Sciences, the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, a university Centre of Excellence (http://www.sussex.ac.uk/gdsc/), is an internationally renowned Institute carrying out research on the response of cells to DNA damage, genome instability and its relationship to disease. We provide a stimulating and supportive environment and our expertise covers a range of experimental systems. The successful candidate will also be supported to develop further technical and career development skills.

About you

This project is suitable for a candidate who has completed a BSc (and preferably a MSc) degree in Structural biology Biochemistry, Molecular biology or related areas and has an interest in the cancer signalling or molecular chaperone fields. You will have hands-on experience of large-scale recombinant protein expression in bacterial or insect cells and subsequent large-scale protein purification techniques. Additional practical experience in biochemical and/or biophysical assays to study protein-protein interactions and enzymatic activity would be advantageous.

You will work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team and wider network of academic and clinical collaborators, actively participating in scientific discussions and contributing to dissemination of the research. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential.

The successful candidate will bring the enthusiasm, initiative, and organisational skills needed to drive the project forward, while contributing to a supportive, inclusive research environment.

About our School

Please find further information regarding the School of Life Sciences on our website.

The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan Award.

Why work here

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.

Further Key Information

Please contact Dr Jasmeen Oberoi (j.oberoi@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

Please include a full CV with the application.

For full details and how to apply, click the 'Apply' button above.

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.

Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.