Biodeuteration Scientist Industrial Placement

Biodeuteration Scientist Industrial Placement

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 the neutron beam line.

Deuteration – a replacement of molecular hydrogen with deuterium - is a valuable tool enabling contrast variation in neutron beam studies. Biodeuteration, or deuteration in living systems, allows researchers to obtain deuterated biomolecules in large quantity that is important for neutron research, while utilising innate cell processes to incorporate deuterium.

There are two parts to this industrial placement project: (a) production of various perdeuterated proteins in bacteria using an established published protocol, and (b) taking the first steps in the production of perdeuterated cholesterol. As part of these projects, you will be producing perdeuterated biomass by growing laboratory bacteria and a strain of algae under deuterated conditions.

For perdeuterated protein production in bacteria, the postholder will be utilising a method established by Zoe Fisher and colleagues at ESS, and developed further at ISIS. Once produced and purified, the proteins will be either crystallised or studied in solution.

The perdeuterated protein crystal standards will be used in single-crystal neutron diffraction instruments (WISH and SXD) and possibly at the ILL (LADI instrument). They will also be studied in solution using SANS2D or become a part of bacterial membrane model in neutron reflectometry studies (INTER, OFFSPEC). Covalently linked deuterated fluorescent proteins in solution are of great interest to our collaborator from CLF. It is a model system to investigate quantum effects in biological material due to the well-known isotopic effect. Such investigations will determine levels of proton tunnelling and energy transfer compared to their non-deuterated counterpart. The energy transfer of constructs will be investigated using time-resolved spectroscopies at CLF; the construct structure in solution will be confirmed using small-angle neutron scattering at ISIS (SANS2D).

The second part of this project will be the production of another highly desirable perdeuterated molecule – cholesterol. There is a worldwide demand for the production of perdeuterated cholesterol that is used in many different applications; it is an important component of cell membrane models. Chemical production of cholesterol is difficult and inefficient. The postholder will be taking the first steps in establishing a deuterated cholesterol production pipeline at ISIS. This will be in collaboration with the ISIS chemistry D-lab, and with the involvement of the ISIS deuteration lead.

Brief overview of the scheme

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’ll become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You’ll be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Graduate Development Team who will also ensure you benefit from a range of personal development opportunities.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

You will become part of the ISIS Experimental Operations Support Laboratories Team, providing support for ISIS Instrument Scientists and visiting researchers. There will be an opportunity for you to attend student conferences and 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 the placement year, you will master a wide variety of molecular biology as well as biochemistry techniques, will learn methods of biophysical characterisation of biomolecules, and, if successful, will have an opportunity to analyse the produced biomolecules on the neutron beamline and at STFC Central Laser Facility (CLF).

• Adapting cultures of bacteria and algae to growth under highly deuterated conditions, producing perdeuterated biomass for ISIS and ISIS user needs and for subsequent purification of perdeuterated biomolecules
• Producing deuterated recombinant proteins in bacteria; other systems of recombinant protein production might also be employed
• Taking first steps towards the production of deuterated cholesterol in collaboration with ISIS D-lab
• Characterising the produced biomolecules using equipment and facilities at ISIS, Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH) and Central Laser Facility (CLF)
• Actively participating in experimental design, analysis and troubleshooting
• Producing and analysing experimental data
• Clearly documenting their findings and reporting them at internal and external meetings
• Supporting the ISIS Biology Laboratories Manager in keeping the BioLab facilities safe, clean and functional
• Actively maintaining Health and Safety standards in the labs
• Thriving for continuous improvement of BioLab operations by reducing lab waste, recycling consumables and reagents, sharing resources, exchanging scientific knowledge and saving energy of operations whenever possible.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential:

• Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course and returning to university/studies to complete your undergraduate degree following the placement (S)
• Are required or have requested to take an industrial placement year (S)
• Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
• Able to commence employment in summer 2026 (S)
• Taking an undergraduate course in Life Sciences, such as Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology or any other subject relating to study of biological systems on molecular level (S&I)
• 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 (S&I)
• Enjoy laboratory environment and laboratory work – please provide examples (S&I)
• Previous successful completion of a scientific experiment/project in wet labs, demonstrating your excellent practical skills, enquiring mind and the ability to fix and troubleshoot (S&I)
• Demonstrate a good understanding of Health and Safety in the Biological Laboratory. Please explain what you do to keep yourself and others safe in the lab (S&I)
• 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 ISIS bio-deuteration project (S&I)

Desirable:

• Experience of culturing live cells (bacteria, yeast, mammalian or insect cells) (I)
• Experience of writing COSHH forms and doing Risk Assessments (I)

Employee Benefits:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.

Application Guidance

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.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.

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Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. 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.

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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.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

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How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.