Assistant/Senior Research Assistant

About the role An excellent opportunity has arisen for an early career scientist, funded by the MRC, to join a dynamic, multidisciplinary drug discovery team focused on developing targeted photodynamic therapies that will be used to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). You will play a central role in planning and conducting laboratory-based experiments (organic synthesis, purification, and chemical analysis) as well as evaluating, analysing, and interpreting data for dissemination purposes. There may also be an opportunity to support biological evaluation studies in the form of testing against pathogenic bacterial cultures. The University of Sunderland has undergone significant expansion thanks to a major step-change in the University’s ambitions, building on the £75 million already invested on facilities in the last five years. Indeed, the University is expected to invest a further £250 million over the next 10 years to transform facilities for students and staff underscoring a bold and ambitious outlook. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results, University of Sunderland doubled its proportion of world-leading (4 star) or internationally excellent (3 star) rated research since its 2014 submissions. 89% of the published research was rated as ‘internationally excellent’ in the Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy category demonstrating continued growth and development in research. You will be embedded as a member of research staff in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, which is part of Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing that has recently established a £5 million Drug Discovery and Development Research Institute located at the City Campus.  What you can bring  The ideal candidate will join a medicinal chemistry research team, led by Dr Mark Gray. The primary focus of his group is tacking antimicrobial resistance through development of new therapeutic agents, and the development of supporting diagnostic tools that allow for the most judicious use of the dwindling number of effective antibiotics we still have within clinical practice. You will be expected to have experience of working in a synthetic organic chemistry laboratory environment and have demonstrated the ability to communicate well, work effectively within a team and maintain good laboratory records including COSHH and other health and safety documentation. Willingness to work flexibly and under pressure to achieve project goals is also essential. This project integrates synthesis and chemical characterisation of target compounds with biological evaluation studies to assess their suitability as therapeutic agents. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and be expected to communicate findings effectively with the wider research team and collaborators.  Appointment will be made at a senior Research Assistant level based on qualifications and experience. See separate role profile for person specification. The senior Research Assistant position is available for 12 months. The closing date for applications is Monday 5th February 2024 Interviews/assessments are likely to take place on Wednesday 14th February 2024 Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Mark Gray, email mark.gray@sunderland.ac.uk