Further information about the vacancy
The University of Nottingham has an outstanding international reputation for research in Bioenergy and
Sustainable Chemistry, and has recently established a new Biorenewables and Bioprocessing Group in
the Faculty of Engineering. The University is also a world-leading centre for applied synthetic biology.
Thus, Nottingham has a leading position in sustainable chemicals manufacturing, encompassing both
chemical and biocatalytic approaches.
You will join the Biorenewables and Bioprocessing Group in the Faculty of Engineering. The group has
new, state of the art laboratories for research on biocatalysis and industrial synthetic biology, including
equipment for microbiology, molecular biology, enzymology, chemical analysis, synthetic chemistry,
and fermentation. The group is funded by BBSRC, EPSRC, TSB and industry.
You should have or expect to obtain a PhD in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or a related
research area. You should have one or more of the following skills: microbial molecular biology,
synthetic biology, design and construction of artificial metabolic pathways (metabolic engineering),
microbial fermentation technology, enzyme isolation, and/or competence in analytical techniques
(especially HPLC, GC, GCMS). This is an unusual combination of skills, so training will be provided
where necessary. Good communication skills are essential, to enable close collaboration and liaison
with staff at Ingenza and Lucite and regular verbal and written reports.
Faculty of Engineering
Engineering is one of the strongest Engineering Faculties in the UK with all departments recognised as
being amongst the best in higher education. We are committed to giving students the “Nottingham
Edge” - an unrivalled combination of quality and excellence, strength and pragmatism, enabled
learning, boldness and innovation, respect and tolerance.
The Faculty of Engineering has adopted a clear, long-term vision of investment in its people, research
and teaching, and is keen to support activities which have the potential to grow, and to deliver an
influential amount of world-class research and knowledge transfer which addresses global issues and
challenges. Key amongst these activities are the University’s priority groups: Sustainable Chemical and
Biological Processing, Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Technology and Society, and Aerospace. Staff
in the Faculty of Engineering are at the forefront of these new developments.
We will continue to invest in our world-class infrastructure, to support talented people and to develop
partnerships with industry, funding bodies and government agencies, to create an exemplary
environment where discovery, scholarship, innovation, commercial exploitation and public engagement
thrive.
As part of our on-going development and growth, the Faculty is recruiting a significant number of new
posts and currently has around 620 staff, including 210 academics.
The Faculty has a student population of around 4,000 including over 3,000 undergraduates (34%
overseas) and over 1,000 postgraduates (68% overseas). Apart from its UK based operations, the
Faculty of Engineering also delivers programmes at the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, and
the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.
Teaching
Our teaching strategy is to develop graduates who have a thorough grounding in their subject of study,
are aware of research, have a critical approach to knowledge, can study independently, and have the
skills and attributes to be successful in employment. We are particularly keen to ensure that our
students have a well-balanced programme of lectures, tutorials and seminars. Laboratory work is an
intrinsic part of our undergraduate degrees and is highly valued and enjoyed by our students. They are
encouraged to explore the creative, applied side of engineering and often work on live projects set by
industry or on projects which benefit society, particularly for developing countries.
Our students are taught by academics who are leaders in their fields of research, enabling them to
engage creatively with new and exciting ideas; a unique advantage for our students who are respected
and valued by employers world-wide.
We have five teaching Departments responsible for delivering 40 undergraduate and 53 MSc
programmes. They are:
 Architecture and Built Environment
 Civil Engineering



Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
Research
According to the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), our engineering research is recognised as
being world-class with more than 75 per cent graded as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.
This result places the Faculty firmly in the UK’s top five universities for engineering research. We are
building on these strengths to ensure that our internationally excellent research not only leads the
field, but remains flexible to respond to new and emerging worldwide challenges. Our aim is to be a
global leader in our areas of expertise. We will achieve this through targeted strategic investment in
staff and facilities. The Faculty of Engineering has implemented an integrated staffing structure
ensuring it is well positioned to identify and attract new investment opportunities and to respond
quickly and efficiently to emerging global and multidisciplinary challenges. It has a total research
portfolio of around £100 million.
The Faculty has five research divisions each of which host a number of world-leading research centres,
groups and institutes. Manufacturing & Process Technologies; Energy and Sustainability; Materials,
Mechanics and Structures; Electrical Systems and Optics; Infrastructure, Geomatics & Architecture.
Further
information
about
the
Faculty
of
Engineering
is
available
at
www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering.
Information about Manufacturing & Process Technologies
Research Division is at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering/research/manufacturing/index.aspx
The Biorenewables and Bioprocessing Research Group
The Biorenewables & Bioprocessing Research Group (BBRG), led by Prof Gill Stephens, is part of the
Manufacturing & Process Technologies Research Division, alongside the Additive Manufacturing & 3D
Printing, Advanced Manufacturing Technology and Fluid and Particle Processes Research Groups. BBRG
was established in 2010 with 2 academic staff, 3 PhD students and a postdoc. Since then, the group
has grown to 5 academic staff, a postdoctoral laboratory manager, a technician, 3 postdocs and 17
PhD students; the group is still expanding. The group is highly interdisciplinary, including biochemists,
microbiologists, chemists and chemical engineers, and there is a strong emphasis on teamwork. BBRG
has strong industrial links, with Lucite (currently 5 CASE studentships and this project), Ingenza (this
project), Green Biologics (current TSB-funded project), Invista Intermediates (previous postdoc and
consultancy), Algaecytes (current CASE studentship), and further contributions from Afro Alpine
Pharma Ltd, Severn Trent Water Ltd, Zagaya, Pidi, Botanical Extracts EPZ Ltd, Sichaun Xieli
Pharmaceutical Ltd, IBM and British Gypsum. PhD graduates and postdocs from the Stephens group
have gone on to permanent posts as lecturers and industrial researchers, and one has gone on to
found a successful Biotechnology company.
For further information please see: Biorenewables and Bioprocessing Research Group - The University
of Nottingham
UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
Research Associate/Fellow- Industrial Metabolic Engineering
School/Department:
Faculty of Engineering – Division of Manufacturing & Process Technologies
Biorenewables and Bioprocessing Group
Salary:
£25,513 to £37,394 per annum, depending on skills and experience
(minimum £28,695 with relevant PhD).
Job Family and Level:
Research and Teaching Level 4 Training Grade / Level 4
Contract Status:
This post will be offered on a 12 month contract
Hours of Work:
Full time
Location:
Faculty of Engineering - Department of Chemical & Environmental
Engineering
Reporting to:
Professor Gill Stephens
The Purpose of the Role:
You will work in collaboration with Ingenza to develop engineered metabolic pathway modules for
pentose utilization. You will complete the design of two core pathway modules (e.g. enzyme selection,
codon optimization) and construct one of the modules, whilst Ingenza construct the second. You will
use gel electrophoresis and enzyme assays to confirm expression of active enzymes. You will work
with Ingenza to design and construct the accessory module to produce the intermediate for methacrylic
acid production. Lastly, you will lead the small-scale production of the intermediate, in shake flasks
and finally in a bioreactor, for use by Lucite in small scale tests. This will require HPLC analysis of the
intermediate and substrates, and LCMS/GCMS to identify side products, etc. You will collaborate with
both Lucite and Ingenza on design of fermentation conditions. For reasons of confidentiality/
commercial sensitivity we are unable to reveal details of the pathways and their products at present.
Main Responsibilities:
Main Responsibilities
% time
per year
1.
Complete design of metabolic pathway modules
10%
2.
Construct one core pathway module and assist with construction of accessory
module
30%
3.
Demonstrate production of intermediate for MAA manufacturing
30%
4.
Biological and chemical analysis (e.g. enzyme expression, product formation)
10%
3.
Produce written reports and presentations – informal reports on a monthly
basis and formal reports every 3 months
5%
4.
Use of scientific literature and bioinformatics resources to develop research
plans and interpret findings
5%
5.
Liaise with other members of the project team and communicate important
findings to Ingenza and Lucite by telephone or email when appropriate.
Attend project meetings
5%
6.
Assist in supporting PhD students and undergraduate and MSc project
students, and assist in good laboratory practice and safe working within the
laboratory
5%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications
/ Education
Knowledge /
Skills /
Training
Experience
Desirable
 Equivalent to UK first or upper
second BSc (or MSc with
Distinction) in Microbiology,
Biotechnology, Biochemistry
or a related discipline.
 PhD or equivalent in
Microbiology, Biotechnology,
Biochemistry or a related
discipline (awarded or
submitted).
 Knowledge, understanding
and research experience of
microbiology
 Knowledge, understanding
and research experience of
microbial molecular biology
 Knowledge, understanding
and experience of enzyme
preparation and assays
 Experimental design and
statistics
 Skills in data analysis using
relevant software (including
Excel).
 Strong verbal and written
communication skills
 Use of appropriate software to
prepare reports and
presentations
 Evidence of contributing to
team work
 Literature searching using
relevant databases and use of
bibliographic software
 Interpretation of scientific
literature
 Use of bioinformatics
resources
 Research at PhD level
 Knowledge, understanding and
research experience of synthetic
biology or biocatalysis for chemicals
production
 Knowledge, understanding and
research experience of metabolic
engineering
 Preparation of samples for chemical
analysis
 Ability to use HPLC, GC, GCMS
 Understanding of microbial growth
kinetics
 Understanding of bioreactor technology

Publications in peer reviewed
journals

Presentations at International
Conferences

Experience of interdisciplinary
research
Decision Making
i) Taken independently by the role holder;






Decisions about design and conduct of experiments
Data analysis
Presentation of results in reports and oral presentations
Preparation of risk assessments
Equipment and consumables purchases <£500
Time management
ii) Taken in collaboration with others;





Experimental programme
Content of monthly reports and presentations
Equipment and consumables purchases >£500
Research strategy
Laboratory safety and equipment maintenance
iii) Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder;




Decisions on overall research strategy for the project
Approval of risk assessments
Budgetary decisions
Communication of results outside the University of Nottingham, Lucite and Ingenza (including
publications and conferences)
Applicants will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as
defined by the requirements set out by the UK Border and Immigration Agency. Please visit
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ for more information.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Gill Stephens, tel: 0115 951 4002 or Email:
gill.stephens@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent direct to this Email address will not
be accepted.