Research Associate

CAPTION:

Company: Keele University

Salary: from £39,560 a year, pro rata

Hours: Full-time

Location: ST5 5BG

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Temporary

Posting date: 16 Oct 2026

Closing date: 15 Nov 2026

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Summary

Full Time / Fixed Term (12 Months)

The Opportunity

This post represents an exciting opportunity for a motivated researcher to join the Ruscoe Research Group within Keele University's School of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy, as part of an EPSRC New Investigator Award.

The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary research programme at the interface of chemical biology and synthetic chemistry. The project will focus on the engineering of enzymes to enable the functionalisation of fragment-based drug molecules, with the aim of developing new biocatalytic approaches for the synthesis and modification of complex molecular scaffolds.

The post holder will be responsible for the expression, engineering and screening of enzymes to identify biocatalysts capable of carrying out novel functionalisation reactions on drug fragments. The role will involve enzyme expression in bacterial systems, assay development and optimisation, protein engineering and directed evolution.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry or a closely related discipline, together with experience in the expression and purification of recombinant enzymes in bacterial systems. Experience in protein engineering and/or directed evolution would be highly desirable.

The Benefits

The University recognises that its success depends upon the contribution and dedication of its talented staff. In return, we have a competitive benefits package available, including:

Competitive rate of pay with annual increments within the grade 7 (Keele Spine)

Generous annual leave entitlement with opportunities to purchase additional leave

Excellent staff pension scheme

Access to continued personal, professional and career development

On site 'outstanding' nursery

Discounted health & fitness facilities on site

Cycle to Work scheme (subject to eligibility)

Please note that the starting salary will typically be at the bottom of the pay scale shown above.

The University is committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible.

The University

Keele University is renowned for its exciting approach to higher education, innovative research, beautiful campus, strong community spirit and excellent student experience. With a turnover in excess of £170 million, over 15,000 students and a total staff of approximately 2000, the University provides high-quality teaching across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects and promotes world-class research. Further information can be found at https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/

Keele University is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN charter, and values equity and diversity across our workforce. We strive to ensure that our workforce is representative of broader society, and therefore, we would actively welcome applications from women for this role.

Keele University values equity and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.

Please note this appointment is subject to medical clearance by the University's Occupational Health provider.

How to Apply

For full post details and to find out more about working at Keele please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/vacancies

Keele University employees wishing to apply should login to Employee Self Service and click on the 'View current vacancies' link.

For informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Rebecca Ruscoe (r.ruscoe@keele.ac.uk). Applications to this address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 8th January 2027

Post reference: KU00005426

Apply for this job

#s1-Gen

This post represents an exciting opportunity for a motivated researcher to join the Ruscoe Research Group within Keele University's School of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy, as part of an EPSRC New Investigator Award.

The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary research programme at the interface of chemical biology and synthetic chemistry. The project will focus on the engineering of enzymes to enable the functionalisation of fragment-based drug molecules, with the aim of developing new biocatalytic approaches for the synthesis and modification of complex molecular scaffolds.

The post holder will be responsible for the expression, engineering and screening of enzymes to identify biocatalysts capable of carrying out novel functionalisation reactions on drug fragments. The role will involve enzyme expression in bacterial systems, assay development and optimisation, protein engineering and directed evolution.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry or a closely related discipline, together with experience in the expression and purification of recombinant enzymes in bacterial systems. Experience in protein engineering and/or directed evolution would be highly desirable.

Keele University is renowned for its exciting approach to higher education, innovative research, beautiful campus, strong community spirit and excellent student experience. With a turnover in excess of £170 million, over 15,000 students and a total staff of approximately 2000, the University provides high-quality teaching across a wide range of academic and vocational subjects and promotes world-class research. Further information can be found at https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/

Keele University is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN charter, and values equity and diversity across our workforce. We strive to ensure that our workforce is representative of broader society, and therefore, we would actively welcome applications from women for this role.

Keele University values equity and diversity across our workforce and to ensuring our staff community is reflective of the diversity of our student population. In support of these commitments the University welcomes applications from individuals of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds for all roles.

Please note this appointment is subject to medical clearance by the University's Occupational Health provider.

The University recognises that its success depends upon the contribution and dedication of its talented staff. In return, we have a competitive benefits package available, including:

- Competitive rate of pay with annual increments within the grade 7 (Keele Spine)

- Generous annual leave entitlement with opportunities to purchase additional leave

- Excellent staff pension scheme

- Access to continued personal, professional and career development

- On site 'outstanding' nursery

- Discounted health & fitness facilities on site

- Cycle to Work scheme (subject to eligibility)

Please note that the starting salary will typically be at the bottom of the pay scale shown above.

The University is committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible.

The University

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