Please note interviews will be held on a rolling basis while the advert is live. It is therefore strongly recommended that you submit your application as early as possible. The advert will be closed once a suitable candidate is selected.
PIONEER (Programmable In-Organelle Nucleic-acid Entry, Expression and Retention) is an ambitious UK research consortium from Imperial College London, the University of Bristol, and the University of Glasgow, funded through the UK’s Advanced Research and Innovation Agency’s (ARIA) Precision Mitochondria programme, with a single bold goal: to build, from end to end, the ability to engineer the genome of mitochondria, the energy-producing compartments inside our cells. Mitochondria carry their own small genome, and reliably installing new, synthetic genetic material inside them has long been one of the great unsolved problems in biology. PIONEER sets out to crack it: to deliver large pieces of synthetic mitochondrial DNA across the mitochondria's notoriously difficult double membrane, switch on new genes inside, and make those changes stable over time.
Ultimately, PIONEER seeks to demonstrate successful mitochondrial genome engineering in vivo and thereby open a new frontier for fundamental biology and for future therapies against mitochondrial disease.
What makes this work distinctive is how deliberately interdisciplinary it is. PIONEER brings together leaders in nanomaterials and drug delivery; automation, AI and machine learning for chemistry; synthetic cell engineering; single-molecule biophysics; advanced spectroscopy; genome engineering; and single-cell genetics. The whole programme is built so these fields feed into one another rather than working in isolation. You would be joining a large collaborative team of PDRAs and PhD students whose culture is designed to enable early-career researchers to achieve ground-breaking results by working fluidly between disciplines. It is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of several cutting-edge fields on a problem that will not only bring exciting new fundamental insights but also, if solved, would be a breakthrough for science and humanity.
A Research Associate in Spectroscopic Methods for Mitochondrial Biology to join the group of Professor Maxie Roessler is available within the PIONEER programme – a bold, ARIA-funded UK consortium with a single goal: to engineer the genome of mitochondria. This research post will focus on using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy as a technique to establish the location of DNA in mitochondria.
This role offers the opportunity to work at the interface of advanced spectroscopy, biomembranes, soft-matter biophysics and biochemistry, within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary team.
Please note, this job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations.
You will lead on establishing EPR spectroscopy as a rigorous, "metrology-first" acceptance criterion that confirms genetic cargo has genuinely entered the mitochondrial matrix.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing relevant biological samples (e.g. artificial membrane systems for benchmarking, mitochondria and whole cells).
- Working closely with another PIONEER researcher to design spin-labelling approaches.
- Spin-labelling mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
- Measuring and analysing EPR spectra, working closely with the Centre for Pulse EPR Spectroscopy (PEPR).
- Establishing the best mtDNA delivery platform for EPR spectroscopic analysis, working closely with other PIONEER PDRAs.
- Analysing and interpreting experimental data and communicating findings within the consortium.
- Preparing technical reports and project updates for ARIA.
- Presenting research findings at internal meetings, scientific conferences and ARIA workshops.
- Working closely with collaborators across Imperial College London, the University of Bristol and the University of Glasgow.
Essential criteria for the role include:
- A PhD qualification in Biochemistry, Chemistry or closely related discipline.
- Experience with biological membrane systems
- Experience in using physical sciences techniques quantitatively
- Ability to develop new methodology.
- Strong research track record relative to experience, in academia and/or industry
- Experience designing, executing and troubleshooting complex experimental research programmes.
- Ability to work in a milestone-driven environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- A collaborative, creative mindset and the ability to work across disciplinary boundaries in a large consortium environment
Desirable experience for this role includes the following: experience in EPR spectroscopy, working with membrane proteins, programming (e.g. Matlab), spin-labelling, handling DNA.
We welcome applications from candidates who do not meet the desirable criteria but have relevant expertise and a strong interest in developing new skills. Training and support will be provided where needed. A keen interest in developing and using quantitative physical sciences approaches applied to challenging biological systems is essential.
This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge spectroscopy applied to mitochondrial medicine within a world-class research consortium. In addition, we offer:
- A large programme-level investment, giving you the resources, infrastructure, and collaborative network to deliver genuinely frontier chemistry over a 3-year fixed-term contract.
- Access and integration into advanced characterisation facilities, including the Centre of Pulse EPR Spectroscopy (PEPR) at Imperial’s White City Campus in the Department of Chemistry
- Regular interaction with a diverse consortium spanning chemistry, biophysics, AI, genome engineering and single-cell genetics, with programme-wide away days and interdisciplinary seminars designed to broaden your scientific horizons.
- The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
- Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
- Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
- Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
Please note interviews will be held on a rolling basis while the advert is live. It is therefore strongly recommended that you submit your application as early as possible. The advert will be closed once a suitable candidate is selected.
This post is part of an ARIA-funded project, subject to contract negotiations.
The position is fixed term, full time, for 3 years.
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant grade.
The Roessler Lab is part of the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London and specialises in the development and application of quantitative spectroscopic methods, particularly EPR, to resolve structure and function in complex biological and soft-matter systems. A central focus of the group is to establish EPR spectroscopy as a rigorous, metrology-driven tool for answering biological questions, combining methodological innovation with carefully designed model systems and biologically relevant samples. The group works at the interface of physical chemistry and chemical biology. In addition to the Roessler group, you will join a highly collaborative team of PDRAs and PhD students embedded within the wider PIONEER consortium.
If you require any further details about the role, please contact Prof. Maxie Roessler: [email protected]
The expected start date for this position is 01 September 2026.
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