Research Associate: Synthetic Biology, Cultivated Meat
Research Associate: Synthetic Biology, Cultivated Meat
The Department of Chemical Engineering is currently seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Associate to contribute to an innovative project focused on the application of synthetic biology to cultivated meat production. This position offers an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge technologies aimed at advancing sustainable agriculture and addressing global environmental challenges. Through the genetic engineering of mammalian cells, this project seeks to make cultivated meat production more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable.
About the Project: Innovating for Sustainable Agriculture
As the world faces increasing challenges related to food security, environmental degradation, and climate change, the need for sustainable alternatives to traditional agriculture has become urgent. One of the most promising solutions to these challenges is the development of cultivated, or lab-grown, meat. However, despite the potential of cultivated meat to significantly reduce the environmental impact of meat production, there are still several technological hurdles that need to be overcome before it can become a viable, large-scale solution.
Synthetic biology has revolutionized the way we approach cellular engineering by enabling scientists to reprogram cells for various applications, such as functioning as micro-scale factories, energy sources, or even biological computers. However, the application of synthetic biology to real-world problems, such as cultivated meat production, requires novel approaches and innovative solutions to bring these technologies from the lab into the marketplace.
This project is positioned at the forefront of synthetic biology innovation, focusing on the genetic engineering of mammalian cell lines to improve the scalability and viability of cultivated meat production. Current methods of producing alternative meat products face challenges, particularly the high cost and complexity of cell culturing. By employing advanced genetic engineering techniques, the project aims to enhance key characteristics of target cell lines, such as their growth rates, nutritional content, and texture, making cultivated meat more affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly.
At the core of this project is the development of novel synthetic biology tools and methodologies that enable precise, robust, and controlled engineering of mammalian cells. The ultimate goal is to create cell lines that possess the desired traits for large-scale production, supporting the broader objective of achieving a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional meat production.
Your Role and Responsibilities
As a Research Associate, you will be at the heart of this transformative project. Your primary responsibility will be to design and execute experiments focused on the engineering of mammalian cell lines, to optimize these cells for cultivated meat production. This will involve designing and developing genetic constructs using advanced molecular cloning techniques, performing transfections, and characterizing the engineered cells to assess their performance.
Key tasks will include:
Experimental Design and Execution:
You will be responsible for designing and conducting experiments aimed at genetically modifying mammalian cell lines. This includes planning the experimental approach, developing genetic constructs, and utilizing molecular cloning protocols to achieve desired modifications.Transfection and Cell Characterization:
You will perform transfections to introduce the genetic constructs into mammalian cells and will subsequently characterize these cells to determine whether the desired traits—such as improved growth rates, enhanced nutritional content, and optimal texture—have been successfully introduced.Project Management and Coordination:
Effective project management will be crucial to ensuring the successful and timely completion of the research. You will be expected to manage timelines, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure that project milestones and deliverables are met. Coordination with other team members, stakeholders, and collaborators will be a key aspect of the role.Collaboration and Networking:
This project is part of a larger ecosystem of research and innovation in synthetic biology and alternative proteins. You will engage with colleagues from the National Alternative Proteins Innovation Centre, the Centre for Synthetic Biology, and the Department of Chemical Engineering, ensuring that your work integrates with the broader research goals of these institutions. You will also participate in outreach activities, presenting your findings and contributing to the dissemination of knowledge within the research community and beyond.Supervision and Mentorship:
In addition to your own research activities, you will be expected to supervise and guide students working on related projects. This will involve providing mentorship, helping students with experimental design, and overseeing their contributions to the project.Scientific Communication and Reporting:
As part of your role, you will prepare detailed research reports and contribute to the writing of scientific publications. Communicating your findings effectively, both within the lab and to the wider scientific community, will be a key aspect of advancing the project and ensuring that the research has a meaningful impact.
Desired Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate for this position will have a strong background in synthetic biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related discipline, with hands-on experience in mammalian cell engineering. You should have a deep understanding of genetic engineering methodologies and be familiar with techniques such as molecular cloning, transfection, and cell characterization.
Key qualifications include:
A PhD in Biology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
Practical experience with mammalian cell engineering, including hands-on laboratory experience with molecular cloning, genetic manipulation, and cell culture.
A strong ability to think critically and independently, with the capability to lead your own research program while working collaboratively as part of a larger team.
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage resources, oversee timelines, and ensure that key project milestones are met.
A proven track record of contributing to scientific publications, with the ability to communicate research findings effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Experience supervising students or junior researchers, with the ability to provide mentorship and guidance to help them succeed in their own research endeavors.
What We Can Offer You
This post is offered for a fixed term of 30 months, providing an excellent opportunity to contribute to an impactful project while gaining valuable research experience in one of the world’s leading academic institutions. The starting salary will be competitive and determined based on the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications.
In addition to the chance to work on a high-impact research project, you will be joining a vibrant and supportive research community within the Department of Chemical Engineering, the Centre for Synthetic Biology, and the National Alternative Proteins Innovation Centre. These institutions are at the forefront of research into synthetic biology and sustainable agriculture, offering numerous opportunities for collaboration, networking, and professional development.
Contact and Application Information
If you are passionate about synthetic biology and its application to cultivated meat production, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Informal inquiries about the position can be directed to Dr. Francesca Ceroni at f.ceroni@imperial.ac.uk.
For further details about the role and application process, please refer to the official job description. Should you have any queries regarding the application process, you can contact the staffing team at chemeng.staffing@imperial.ac.uk.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Sustainable Agriculture
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most pressing global challenges of our time—creating sustainable food systems that can feed a growing population without depleting the planet’s resources. By joining this project, you will be working at the cutting edge of synthetic biology and helping to develop practical, market-ready solutions that have the potential to transform the way we produce and consume food.
Apply now and help us advance the future of cultivated meat production!
FAQ
0 Comments
If there is any doubt, he can ask me