Research Associate in Chemistry (University of York )

Department: Chemistry Salary: £37,694 – £46,049 per year Grade: Grade 6 Contract status: Fixed term Hours of work: Full-time Based at: York Interview date: To be confirmed Posted date: 27/01/2026 Apply by: 08/03/2026 Job reference: 14732 Documents: Job description (14732).pdf (PDF, 340.36kb) Role Description Dr Purba Mukherjee invites applications from motivated individuals for a PDRA position to join the Department of Chemistry (YSBL) at the University of York. This full-time role focuses on biocatalysis and is funded by EPSRC. The initial appointment is for 24 months, with the possibility of an extension. Department You will be joining one of UoY’s largest and most successful departments. Home to 85 postdoctoral experts conducting world-class research, the Department of Chemistry – ranked among top 10 in REF2021 – offers a vibrant and supportive community. We are proud of our Athena Swan Gold Award (since 2007), reflecting our dedication to creating an environment where you can truly excel and make your mark. Role Sustainable nucleic acids synthesis is a major thrust area within the UK and around the world. The Mukherjee group is focused on developing enzymatic alternatives to address the manufacturing challenges faced in producing oligonucleotides and their bioconjugates. You will work on building a biocatalytic cascade for peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate (POC) synthesis. You will: Design and generate a library of designer nucleic-acid modifying enzymes for the cascade (building on initial discoveries in our group) Apply one or more biophysical methods, such as microscale thermophoresis, ITC, fluorescence polarisation, single-molecule FRET, to characterise assembly dynamics Combine high-throughput biochemical assays with MS approaches to assess synthesised POCs and optimise cascade efficacy You will also have the opportunity to gain supervisory skills by supporting Masters and PhD students, where necessary within the group. Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed The postholder should have a PhD (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in biocatalysis, biochemistry, bioengineering or equivalent experience. You are expected to: have hands-on experience of enzyme cascades and/or nucleic acid-modifying enzymes have hands-on experience in generating a protein library and protein purification be proficient in biophysical (ITC, MST etc) and biochemical (kinetics) methods of enzyme analysis have a working knowledge of mass spectrometry (LC-MS, MALDI) for nucleic acids or proteins be competent at working both independently and collaboratively have excellent written and oral scientific communication skills with a track record for publication(s) and conference presentation(s) be committed to values of equality, diversity and inclusion Interview Date To be confirmed Informal Enquiries For informal enquiries, please contact: Dr Purba Mukherjee Email: purba.mukherjee@york.ac.uk Equality, Diversity and Inclusion The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork Athena Swan Athena Gold Award 2017 If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Physicaloxy

Department: Chemistry
Salary: £37,694 – £46,049 per year
Grade: Grade 6
Contract status: Fixed term
Hours of work: Full-time
Based at: York
Interview date: To be confirmed
Posted date: 27/01/2026
Apply by: 08/03/2026
Job reference: 14732

Documents:

Job description (14732).pdf (PDF, 340.36kb)

Role Description

Dr Purba Mukherjee invites applications from motivated individuals for a PDRA position to join the Department of Chemistry (YSBL) at the University of York. This full-time role focuses on biocatalysis and is funded by EPSRC. The initial appointment is for 24 months, with the possibility of an extension.

Department

You will be joining one of UoY’s largest and most successful departments. Home to 85 postdoctoral experts conducting world-class research, the Department of Chemistry – ranked among top 10 in REF2021 – offers a vibrant and supportive community. We are proud of our Athena Swan Gold Award (since 2007), reflecting our dedication to creating an environment where you can truly excel and make your mark.

Role

Sustainable nucleic acids synthesis is a major thrust area within the UK and around the world. The Mukherjee group is focused on developing enzymatic alternatives to address the manufacturing challenges faced in producing oligonucleotides and their bioconjugates.

You will work on building a biocatalytic cascade for peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate (POC) synthesis. You will:

Design and generate a library of designer nucleic-acid modifying enzymes for the cascade (building on initial discoveries in our group)
Apply one or more biophysical methods, such as microscale thermophoresis, ITC, fluorescence polarisation, single-molecule FRET, to characterise assembly dynamics
Combine high-throughput biochemical assays with MS approaches to assess synthesised POCs and optimise cascade efficacy

You will also have the opportunity to gain supervisory skills by supporting Masters and PhD students, where necessary within the group.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed

The postholder should have a PhD (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in biocatalysis, biochemistry, bioengineering or equivalent experience. You are expected to:

have hands-on experience of enzyme cascades and/or nucleic acid-modifying enzymes
have hands-on experience in generating a protein library and protein purification
be proficient in biophysical (ITC, MST etc) and biochemical (kinetics) methods of enzyme analysis
have a working knowledge of mass spectrometry (LC-MS, MALDI) for nucleic acids or proteins
be competent at working both independently and collaboratively
have excellent written and oral scientific communication skills with a track record for publication(s) and conference presentation(s)
be committed to values of equality, diversity and inclusion

Interview Date

To be confirmed

Informal Enquiries

For informal enquiries, please contact:
Dr Purba Mukherjee
Email: purba.mukherjee@york.ac.uk

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff.

#EqualityatYork