Research Associate - Lilley Group (Fixed Term)

Location: Central Cambridge

Postdoctoral Research Associate to apply proteomics technologies to an ancient universal bacterial membrane effector system. 

The post is a key part of an existing major 5-year BBSRC sLoLa award to understand an ancient universal membrane effector system, and tackle outstanding question of how members of the microbial IM30 protein family function to protect biological membranes from different stresses and stop dissipation of electrochemical gradients. Our understanding of this fundamental and ancient system underpins many areas of research including industrial biotechnology, antimicrobial resistance and virulence of human pathogens. 

The project is a collaboration involving multidisciplinary teams: Universities of York (Gavin Thomas, Jamie Blaza, Luke Mackinder, Ben Willson), Cambridge (Kathryn Lilley), Nottingham (Boyan Bonev, Vivien Yeh), Newcastle (Henrik Strahl), Mainz, Germany (Susanne Gebhard). 

We are seeking to employ a post-doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) based in the laboratory of Prof. Kathryn Lilley, Cambridge Centre for Proteomics (CCP), Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. This PDRA will be involved in characterising the protein interaction partners of IM30 family membranes using proximity labelling, immune precipitation and application of SMALP technology (doi: 10.7554/eLife.74322) and their subcellular spatial distribution (doi: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2025.101047 and doi: 10.1104/pp.19.00897). 

CCP is equipped with cutting edge mass spectrometry equipment and contains postdoctoral researchers and PhD students involved in the development and application of methodologies at the interface of cell biology and proteomics, as well as highly skilled core facility staff. 

We particularly encourage candidates to apply who have a strong background in membrane proteomics, subcellular fractionation, and mass spectrometry. Experience with the application of proteomics informatics tools is also desirable.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available from 4th March 2026 until 30th October 2027, in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above. 

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Kathryn Lilley via ksl23@cam.ac.uk

For queries regarding the application process, please contact the Biochemistry HR Team via: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PH48461 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

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