Current jobs related to Bioinformatician - Structural Biology/Protein Design and Engineering - Coventry, Coventry - NanoSyrinx

ABOUT THE COMPANY

NanoSyrinx is an award-winning synthetic biology company focused on a novel targeted drug delivery technology with the vision of fundamentally revolutionising how biological medicines are delivered into cells. To do this, we are leveraging one of nature's own elegant solutions: naturally occurring, bacterial protein 'Nanosyringes', capable of encapsulating and delivering therapeutic payloads in a cell specific manner, with nano-scale precision.

Since its inception in 2020, the company has raised ~£20M in venture financing from top tier investors. You will be joining the company at a critical moment in its evolution as we select and advance a therapeutic asset pipeline, and position ourselves to push towards the clinic over the next few years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

You will be joining a company of 18, with an existing scientific team of 13 people with diverse technical skills from both academia and industry, including microbiology, molecular biology, protein expression and purification, and translational biology. We are looking for a candidate who is excited to work collaboratively and flexibly as part of this close-knit and friendly group, with initiative, working towards a common goal.

The position is based at our site at the University of Warwick, with the company being headquartered at the University of Warwick Science Park, Coventry.

ROLE MISSIONS

We are seeking to hire a Bioinformatician with experience in computational protein structure analysis and protein engineering. A strong background in protein structure modelling and analysis will be critical for this position. An ideal candidate would also have hands-on wet-lab protein molecular biology/biochemistry experience and a willingness to contribute from the lab bench at times.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Leading on the implementation of state-of-the-art protein modelling and analysis tools to guide our engineering efforts and support the platform development team.
• Developing reproducible workflows to: facilitate rapid and robust analysis of protein structures/sequences, manage the output of computational tools including AI/ML approaches, assess the impact of proposed engineering approaches, derive novel insights as data is gathered.
• Being a primary source for information and expertise in protein modelling, to support other members of the team in upskilling in this area.
• Independently executing experiments, analysing results, and maintaining a meticulous record of the data and sample tracking.
• Presenting research updates at team meetings and to the wider world as appropriate.

If these example role profiles resonate with you, you could be exactly the kind of candidate we are looking for:

• You have led a computational strategy to identify epitopes which could drive immune responses and performed in silico experiments to design engineering strategies to remove these liabilities, whilst preserving protein form and function.
• You have successfully resolved the structure of a large biomolecule/complex such as a virus via cryo-EM, and shown the key dynamics/specific conformational changes required for assembly/function/stability/aggregation and other key characteristics.
• You have designed de novo cell surface receptor binding proteins computationally and validated these as functional.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

For this role, the following criteria are essential:

• 3-5+ years post-PhD experience (or equivalent) in protein structural biology/biochemistry or a similar related field with significant computational elements – experience in a biotech/large pharma organisation is preferred.

• Experience with:

• Mainstay protein modelling/analysis, visualisation, and engineering tools such as AlphaFold, Rosetta, Boltz, ESM, RFDiffusion etc

• Application-specific approaches/tools for: developability analysis (Aggrescan, SAP, FoldX etc), immunogenicity prediction (ISPRI, EpiMatrix etc), post-translational modification prediction, fragmentation analysis would be a significant advantage

• Molecular dynamics approaches and tools (e.g. GROMACS, AMBER, VMD, OpenMM)

• Programming in Python for the building of custom analysis pipelines and automation of analyses

• Strong written and record-keeping skills, ensuring experimental data is analysed, accurately recorded in electronic lab books and interpreted effectively to detect and correct problems in experiments.

• Able to work independently, managing multiple tasks efficiently without direct daily supervision, anticipate problems and provide solutions with initiative.
• You are organised, methodical, have strong interpersonal skills and are adaptable to changing demands, whilst operating to deadlines.

For this role, the following criteria are desirable:

• Prior experience working with macromolecular complexes such as viral vectors or bacteriophages will be a significant advantage.
• Prior experience working with disordered proteins, membrane proteins and protein-protein interactions such as receptor binding analysis would also be an advantage.
• Familiarity/experience with AI/ML methods and protein language models for protein engineering.
• Familiarity/experience with software development best practices

Additionally, for all of our positions, the following criteria are essential:

Strong team ethic

We are a close-knit, dynamic team (and it's not just the usual corporate cliché). We value the trust we have in each other and our work. This is reciprocated by transparency, and diligence. We collectively strive to provide and preserve work-life-balance.

Attention to detail

Attention to detail is required in all aspects of the job, whether that be working safely in laboratory space, or writing up experimental procedures and recording data in lab books. Life in a small biotech is heavily goal-oriented and milestone driven, and it is crucial that we are focussed and in control of as many details as possible.

Interpersonal skills

The quality and cohesiveness of a team is often the number one determinant of success for a small company. It is therefore absolutely essential to demonstrate respect for, and consideration of, others and their work. This means needing to work conscientiously and professionally, and to have the ability to communicate effectively with others - particularly regarding the presentation of scientific data at an appropriate level. This includes, for example, the ability to create high quality presentations of data, the ability to produce informative figures, slides and documentation, but also to communicate within the team to achieve common goals.

Agile

Ability to work to deadlines, particularly when more than one project may demand time commitment. Willingness to switch projects quickly depending on the company's priorities.

WHAT WE OFFER

NanoSyrinx provides a friendly working environment situated at the well-connected University of Warwick's modern campus. Our company was born out of a close-knit academic community at the University, and we pride ourselves on carrying this through into the company - regular coffee breaks with your colleagues, and outside-of-work socialising are encouraged (but not mandatory)

We understand that science and real life don't always keep office hours, so we offer flexible working, with competitive allowances for annual and parental leave etc.

In addition to competitive salaries, NanoSyrinx operates a discretionary cash bonus scheme (up to 10% of annual salary). All employees are eligible to receive Company Stock Options upon completion of probation.

NanoSyrinx operates a salary sacrifice workplace pension (provided by Aviva), with up to 5% matched employer contributions (further details will be provided in your employment contract). NanoSyrinx also offers competitive health care cover (also provided via Aviva).

The opportunity to travel nationally and internationally for professional development and company advancement.

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NanoSyrinx is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a friendly, inclusive environment which is a pleasure to work in. We recognise the rights of all individuals to mutual respect and want to foster an environment where there is an unbiased acceptance of others.

Our policies and practices aim to promote an environment which is free from all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, and treats people fairly, with dignity and respect.

That's the sort of place we would want to work, and it's the environment we want to build with you if you join us - and, since diverse teams are known to be more effective - it's great business sense too

THE BORING BIT

To be eligible to apply for these positions,
you must have the right to work in the UK
, and will be asked to demonstrate this if an offer is made to you. NanoSyrinx is unable to sponsor international applicants.

Applications will close when sufficient submissions have been received, or by 30th January 2026, whichever is sooner - so we encourage you to apply early Interviews are being planned for w/c 2nd February but we will endeavour to be flexible with dates to maximise candidates ability to attend in person. Part of the interview process will be a short presentation about your scientific background and experience.

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