Scientific Officer

The Scientific Officer contributes to the delivery of high-quality protein production services within the Protein Expression and Purification Core Facility. The role coordinates and delivers protein production projects across different expression systems and chromatogratography platforms, working closely with internal and external users and other members of the facility. The position applies specialist technical knowledge to develop appropriate expression and purification workflows and supports teaching and training activities. The role manages multiple projects within agreed priorities and and is accountable for the timely delivery of rigorous scientific outcomes.

• Coordinate protein production projects with the facility’s users and team members, from initial project discussion through to delivery and reporting of results.
• Develop appropriate protein production strategies for user projects, including construct design, choice of expression system and purification workflow.
• Deliver high-quality purified proteins to internal and external users through the application of appropriate protein expression and purification methods.
• Develop and optimise high-throughput expression and purification workflows to improve the efficiency and capacity of the facility.
• Maintain chromatography instruments and provide technical support to enable the effective operation of the facility’s protein production workflows.
• Train and support users, visitors and new team members working in the facility, and contribute to practical courses, workshops and other teaching activities.
• Ensure that work in the facility complies with laboratory safety requirements.

• Collaboration: Builds constructive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Communication: Accountability: Communicates information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and delivers outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Problem Solving: Identifies issues and applies sound judgement to determine appropriate solutions.
• Adaptability: Responds positively to changing priorities and organisational requirements.
• Undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in molecular biology, biochemistry or related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression in E. coli, insect cells and mammalian cells, at different scales and throughputs.
• Strong knowledge of protein chromatography techniques, including affinity, ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography and demonstrated experience in applying them.
• Strong technical skills in the advanced use, troubleshooting and maintenance of protein chromatography platforms (ÄKTA, NGC or comparable systems).
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple projects and priorities in parallel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, a service-oriented approach to users, and fluency in English.
• Good working knowledge of various cloning methods.
• Experience with cell-free expression systems.
• Experience with laboratory automation or liquid-handling systems for high-throughput expression and purification screening.