Salary: £37,694 - £41,064

FTE: 1 (35 hours/week)

Contract Type: Fixed Term (Until Feb 29, 2028, with possibility of extension through Sep 29, 2028)

Closing Date: 23/09/2026

We are seeking an exceptional and highly motivated researcher in experimental materials and biomolecular chemistry to join the CoreShell Fibre Foundry programme. The successful candidate will work with a multidisciplinary team of chemists, biochemists and engineers to pioneer protein self-assembly and biomineralisation for manufacturing useful microstructures.

This role focuses on developing stimuli-responsive self-assembly and biomineralisation using peptides and proteins provided by bio-chemistry team members, and co-developing with device engineers the novel microfluidics environments required to realise the project. The postholder will also work closely with synthetic chemists to optimise the stimuli-responsive conditions and with computational and bio-chemists to feedback on protein sequence design and production. The postholder will further work with the research lead to establish the systematic process workflows to keep track of experimental developments. Overall, the postholder will work with the entire team to iterate on the sequence design, peptide/protein production, and microstructure fabrication against defined deliverables and milestones. These will be evaluated by the funder as criteria for continued funding.

To be considered for the role, you should normally be educated to a PhD level in an appropriate discipline, or are close to PhD completion, or have significant relevant work experience in addition to a relevant lower degree. You will have sufficient depth of knowledge in molecular self-assembly and/or biomineralisation. Experience in microfluidics, experimental physical chemistry, soft matter characterisation using scattering and microscopy techniques, sol-gel chemistry, peptide and protein chemistry and characterisation, solid phase peptide synthesis, device engineering and software control, or the technical background to rapidly acquire these skills, are also highly desirable.

You will further have an ability to plan and organise your own workload effectively, conduct individual research work, and disseminate results. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences, and work within a team environment.

Whilst not essential for the role, applications are welcome from candidates who have: an ability to prepare research proposals, membership of relevant Chartered/professional bodies (including the Higher Education Academy), experience of relevant student supervision and teaching activities, and/or experience of knowledge exchange related activities.

Initial interviews have been scheduled for October 2026 (Date TBC).

For informal enquiries, please contact Iqra Azeem, Reader at i.azeem@strath.ac.uk