Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields

Post Doctoral Research Associate, I24

Diamond Light Source Ltd, Didcot, United Kingdom

Application deadline: 10 Jan 2021

Diamond Light Source one of Instruct-ERIC Centres are looking for a highly motivated and experienced crystallographer, at Post-Doctoral Research Associate level, to build on recent exciting results in the field of serial crystallography. This will encompass several areas of the experiment from preparation of samples (from expression to crystallisation) to data collection and analysis. Key emerging areas of interest are dynamic crystallography and high energy data collection. The PDRA will develop methods for driving and tracking reactions in crystals using new facilities such as the portable laser system PORTO at Diamond and also high energy MX.

The successful candidate will:

• Develop methods and software related to the measurement and analysis of crystallographic data for MX with a particular emphasis on microcrystallography, serial crystallography and new modes of sample delivery.
• Provide technical and scientific support to the operational MX beamlines and user programme to ensure effective use of Diamond facilities by all users.
• Assist in developing I24 and other MX beamline capabilities in collaboration with MX staff.
• Interact with the beamline and users in areas relevant to your projects
• Exploit, and contribute to the development of the state of the art beamline technology available at I24.

The Diamond Microfocus Macromolecular Crystallography beamline I24 provides a versatile tool for life science; offering high flux, small beamsize, and flexible sample environment, it is well suited to tackling challenging problems in structural biology. A bespoke end-station, automated sample exchange and two detectors: a silicon Pilatus and new CdTe Eiger, combine to provide a state-of-the-art MX beamline. I24 offers users conventional pin-based cryo-crystallography, room temperature experiments, and serial crystallography of microcrystals. They aim to be at the forefront of MX, developing new approaches for the most demanding structural biology problems, for example through serial approaches which have been successfully used at X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) sources such as SACLA, while the recent addition of a CdTe detector opens up a new field of high energy MX. 

This position 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.

About You

Suitable candidates will hold an appropriate first degree and PhD and demonstrate proven relevant experience.

You will have experience in the use of scientific instrumentation and synchrotron or XFEL beamlines, along with experience in Crystallographic data collection.

Further experience in the following areas is beneficial but not essential:

• Windows/Linux/Unix;
• Serial crystallography;
• Supporting scientists in research in a synchrotron or equivalent facility;
• scientific programming in support of data collection and/or processing;
• At least one of the following techniques: serial data collection, microfocus MX, beamline instrumentation, protein purification and expression.

You will demonstrate good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills to interact with staff and facility users at all levels

More information about the post and how to apply can be find via this link