Role

In this role, you will join our compound discovery team to aid in the identification, purification and characterisation of novel bioactive metabolites 

Team

Our compound discovery team consists of analytical chemists and microbiologists who work closely with bioinformaticians and data scientists to collect the highest quality data for analysis. Together, we have built a database and bioinformatics pipeline that have informed our experiments to culture over 2,200 previously unexplored microbial species. Our compound discovery team work on characterising the novel compounds these microbes produce using liquid handling robotics, design of experiment procedures and fermentation techniques.

Responsibilities:  

• Optimisation and development of current platforms for active hit identification through to compound isolation

• Sample preparation, data analysis and reporting across workflow

• Coordination between Screening and Analytical Chemistry teams to ensure seamless exchange of samples and information

• Improving dereplication processes using LCMS data

• Upkeep and maintenance of laboratory instruments 

• Application of the latest research method to ensure efficient and effective workflows

Skills and experience:

• An analytical background with a PhD in chemistry, life sciences or a related field

• 5 years+ of relevant academic or industry experience

• Experience in natural product extraction, characterisation and purification using HPLC and LCMS 

• Data-driven mindset and demonstrated ability to work with large datasets

• Collaborative drive with an ability to learn and adapt  

It would be great if you had:

• Experience with untargeted workflows for the identification and characterisation of natural products

• Developed workflows for natural product dereplication

• Experience in NMR for structural elucidation of small compounds  

• Microbiology experience, including working in aseptic conditions and culturing bacteria

• Experience with Agilent chromatography systems

• Experience working with automation and liquid handling.

Facilities

Bactobio has over 300 sqm of laboratory space with high-end equipment spanning microbiology through to analytical chemistry. Within compound discovery, this includes a dedicated analytical chemistry suite with multiple LCMS and HPLC systems and an automation suite with bioreactors, a flow cytometer and liquid handling machines.