Science and Technology Facilities Council Bacterial Membrane Biochemist - Summer Placement Salary : £22,096 Hours : Full time Contract Type : Fixed Term (12 weeks) Location : Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire The Biology Laboratories at the ISIS Neutron and Muon source are facilities for ISIS instrument scientists and visiting researchers to grow, produce, process, analyse and characterise biological samples such as live cells, viruses, nanoparticles, proteins, lipids - to name a few - before studying them on beam line. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. They are extensively used in applied research for modelling outer bacterial membrane. Good quality well characterised LPS prep is of great importance when looking at dynamics of bacterial membrane using neutron beam, for example when studying anti-microbial properties of novel drugs (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/anie.201504287). Deuteration - a replacement of molecular hydrogen with deuterium - is an invaluable tool enabling contrast variation in neutron beam studies. Bio deuteration, or deuteration in living systems, allows researchers to obtain deuterated biomolecules in large quantity while utilizing innate cell processes to incorporate deuterium making it a handy tool in neutron research. LPS prepared from deuterated bacteria are in high demand by neutron reflectometry scientists. The main aim of this 12-week placement is to produce stocks of good quality deuterated and non-deuterated LPS - both smooth and rough - for ISIS Neutron beam users and Instrument Scientists. You will become part of the ISIS Experimental Operations Support Laboratories Team, providing support for ISIS Instrument Scientists and visiting researchers. There might be an opportunity for you to present results of your research to ISIS internal as well as external audience. If successful, your work could lead to a scientific publication. At the end of this placement, you will master a variety of biochemistry techniques, will learn methods of biophysical characterisation of biomolecules and might have an opportunity to analyse your biomolecules on neutron beamline. About Summer Placements at STFC STFC's incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. Whichever you choose, you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start.You will also be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including flexible working hours, health promotion programmes, and subsidised restaurant and coffee outlets. For more information on our full list of benefits, please visit here. Summary of Key Duties & Responsibilities The post holder will be: producing large (1-2 L) volumes of bacterial cultures - both deuterated and non-deuterated using ISIS strains isolating bacterial inner and outer membranes using ultracentrifugation purifying LPS from bacterial outer membranes using extraction and fractionation methods; comparing yield and efficiency of each method characterizing the quality of produced LPS against commercially available stocks actively participating in the experimental design, analysis and troubleshooting producing and analyzing experimental data clearly documenting their findings and reporting them at the internal and external meetings when required supporting the ISIS Biology Laboratories Manager in keeping the BioLab facilities safe, clean and functional actively maintaining the Health and Safety standards in the labs. To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following: Essential : You are in full time education at university, and will be returning to university/your studies once the summer placement has concluded You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement Taking an undergraduate course in Biochemistry or any other Life Sciences subject, such as Biology, Biophysics or similar Have a demonstrable wet laboratory experience either from undertaking practical classes at the University or from previous employment. The examples of wet lab experience are making buffers and solutions, chemical reactions, growing cells, production and analysis of proteins, enzymes, RNA, DNA, lipids or any other similar experience Enjoy laboratory environment and laboratory work Have excellent practical skills, enquiring mind and the ability to fix and troubleshoot. The examples can be from either laboratory environment or any other environment such as home, school, interest club, etc Demonstrate a good understanding of Health and Safety in the Biological Laboratory. Please explain what it means to you Have an interest in cell culture, preparation of bio samples and studying of soft matter (cells, proteins, lipids) using neutron beam line, or in either. Please tell us why you would like to be a part of this project Desirable : Experience of culturing live cells (bacteria, yeast, mammalian or insect cells) Previous successful completion of a scientific experiment/project Experience of writing COSHH forms and doing Risk Assessments Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert. Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received. About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel. We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating. For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/ About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. Additional Information Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract External Closing Date: Mar 9, 2025 Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 22,096 Hours: Full-time