Vacancy ID:
13263
Location:
Leicester
School/Division:
Molecular and Cell Biology
Vacancy terms:
Full time fixed term contract for 12 months
Salary details:
Grade 7 - £39,906 per annum
Hours per week:
37.5
Advert closes midnight on:
12 May 2026

About the role

Applications are invited for a 12‑month Postdoctoral Research Associate position funded by the Medical Research Council. This is an exciting opportunity to be a researcher in an interdisciplinary project entitled “Developing PROTACs for the Target Validation of Individual Histone Deacetylase Corepressor Complexes.” This is a collaborative project between the groups of Dr James Hodgkinson (School of Chemistry and Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, LISCB), Professor John Schwabe (Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and LISCB) and Professor Shaun Cowley (Department of Molecular and Cell Biology).
 
In this role your primary responsibility will be implementing the organic synthesis and biological evaluation of novel proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) libraries for the targeted degradation of Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes and associated corepressor complexes.  Candidates must have hands‑on experience in the organic synthesis of HDAC‑targeting PROTACs, molecular and cell biology methodologies for their evaluation, including expression of class I HDAC complexes from mammalian cell culture, and quantitative proteomics. The successful candidate will also contribute high‑level research skills in chemical biology through personal expertise and by supporting the wider research team, and will take a leading role in the presentation of results and manuscript/IP preparation.
 
The Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology (LISCB) is a cross-disciplinary entity that brings together internationally renowned research in structural biology and chemical biology at the University of Leicester into a single world‑leading unit. The Institute aims to exploit synergies in research technologies to deliver major advances in both fundamental and translational research.

About you

 The candidate should have a PhD (or be close to completion) in chemical biology, with previous direct experience in chemical biology related to HDACs. Ideal start date no later than August 2026.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact James Hodgkinson on [email protected].

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here.
 
 The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

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