Dean of Engineering Prize - Interdisciplinary Research (Fixed Term) Faculty of Engineering – Division of Manufacturing Process Technologies

Project title: Radical Solutions for High-Value Biorefinery Outputs – QM/MM computational modelling of Radical SAM enzymes

The manufacture of chemicals using biological approaches, particularly those that may be utilised as either pharmaceutical components, ‘drop in’ biofuels and platform chemicals, or to create new functional materials, is an attractive and expanding area.  Enzymes that work via free-radical mechanisms offer the opportunity to access chemicals that cannot be made by traditional routes, but they are still under-exploited in industry. Computational approaches allow us to accelerate the characterisation and development of such enzymes through structural and mechanistic understanding.  This project will specifically focus on QM/MM approaches to investigate ‘Radical SAM’ enzymes, in an international collaborative project with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Applications are invited for a Dean of Engineering Prize in Interdisciplinary research at the University of Nottingham to undertake postdoctoral research to explore the potential of ‘Radical SAM’ enzymes in biotechnological applications. The successful candidate will join the Biomechanism Engineering research team based in the Biorenewables and Bioprocessing group. They will develop their career in a supportive research environment and as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers working towards science-based exploitation of biological systems for industrial chemicals manufacturing. This will form a first step for candidates wishing to develop a future independent research career.

Candidates will have just completed (or be about to obtain) a PhD or equivalent in Computational Chemistry or a closely related subject and hold a first degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Biochemistry, physical sciences, engineering or a closely-related discipline. The candidate should have research experience in QM/MM calculations and good working knowledge of high performance computing. 

The University of Nottingham is a leading UK university for research in industrial biotechnology, bioenergy and sustainable chemistry, complemented by excellent HPC facilities. The Faculty conducts research that has been recognised by the last Research Assessment Exercise as being world-leading or internationally excellent, placing Nottingham in the UK’s top five universities for engineering. The Faculty is a vibrant and supportive environment and provides state-of-the art experimental and computational facilities.

The award will cover a £25,000 per annum, tax-free stipend, for a 12-month postdoctoral researcher (UK/EU only, due to funding restrictions). The researcher is expected to start in February 2014 or as early as possible after this date.

For informal enquiries or formal applications, please send a single pdf file containing: a CV, a one-page covering letter stating how your interests and experience relate to the project, your academic transcripts and the names and email addresses of two academic referees to Dr Anna Croft, email via the 'Apply' button below.  Separate documents will not be considered. 

Please quote ref no: ENG/762.
Closing date: 10 January 2014

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