PDRA - I24 BBSRC: microfocus and serial crystallography
Based onsite at Diamond Light Source
About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national 3rd generation synchrotron science facility. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental sciences.
Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities and talented staff are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.
About the Role
As part of a BBSRC funded collaborative project between Diamond (Robin Owen, Mike Hough) and the University of Essex (Jonathan Worrall) we are looking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced crystallographer at the Post-Doctoral Research Associate level to build on recent exciting results in the field of time resolved serial crystallography.
The successful candidate will use laser activated photocages to carry out time resolved crystallography on metalloenzymes of both fundamental and biotechnological importance. You will explore several enzyme systems to address the chemical nature of the catalytic intermediates formed following photo cage activation working closely with members of the team at both Diamond and Essex and others such as the co-located UK XFEL Hub. You will combine X-ray diffraction methods with complementary spectroscopic approaches to identify and validate enzyme intermediate states. You will have the opportunity to participate in state-of-the-art experiments both at Diamond (the world leading serial crystallography beamline I24) and leading international X-Ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facilities. You will work closely with an Essex-based PDRA focused on wet lab based protein production and characterisation of the target proteins.
At Diamond, you will be based primarily at the Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography beamline I24 which provides a versatile tool for life science; offering high flux, small beamsize, and flexible sample environment. I24 is well suited to tackling challenging problems in structural biology with a bespoke end-station including multiple modes of sample delivery and state-of-the art detectors provide a state-of-the-art macromolecular crystallography (MX) and Serial Synchrotron Crystallography (SSX) beamline environment. I24 offers users conventional pin-based cryo-crystallography, room temperature experiments, and serial crystallography of microcrystals. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in both synchrotron and XFEL experiments applying our approaches to a range of target proteins.
About You
The successful candidate will hold a PhD or equivalent degree in relevant research area. You will develop methods and software related to the measurement and analysis of crystallographic data for MX with a particular emphasis on time resolved serial crystallography and light activated photocages. You will assist in developing I24 and other MX beamline capabilities in collaboration with MX staff. You will be expected to interact with the beamline and users in areas relevant to your projects and will exploit, and contribute to the development of, the state-of-the-art beamline technology available at I24.
The post represents an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic person to play a key role in expanding, and adding to, the serial capabilities of I24 and Diamond.
Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.
To Apply
Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.
Interested candidates should feel free to contact Robin Owen (robin.owen@diamond.ac.uk) for further information.
The initial closing date for applications is 29th September 2024, however applications will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis until this vacancy is filled.
Other information
Diamond is open to different ways of working and we are committed to supporting our employees to have more flexibility and autonomy over where, when and how long they work.
Where relevant, and possible for the role, we will consider flexible working arrangements, secondment and job share opportunities.
Diamond attract talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 44 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women (77% men and 23% women as at March 2021). Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women.
If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.
Diamond are members of Working Families (the UK’s work-life balance organisation) and we have also achieved the Disability Confident Level Two award.