Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to work on the use of self-assembled DNA nanostructures in protein structure determination by cryoelectron microscopy.

The post is available initially for a fixed-term until 30 March 2013.

This interdisciplinary project is suitable for a researcher interested in applying new nanofabrication techniques based on DNA self-assembly to increase the throughput and resolution of molecular structure determination by cryoelectron microscopy. The aim of the project is to demonstrate a system for sample preparation, based on DNA-templated protein arrays, that dramatically increases the accessibility of cryo-EM as a general-purpose tool capable of determining the structures of hard-to-crystallise molecules and protein complexes. Potential applications of such an advance include drug discovery.

The successful applicant will be based in the DNA Nanostructures group of the Department of Physics, and will be supervised by Professor Andrew Turberfield. He or she will also work with Dr Robert Gilbert in the Division of Structural Biology (STRUBI) on cryoelectron microscopy and single-particle protein reconstruction.

Applicants should possess, or be very close to obtaining, a doctorate in structural biology, physics, biochemistry or a related field. Previous experience in structural biology, particularly single-particle cryoelectron microscopy, or the fabrication and characterisation of biomolecular nanostructures will be an advantage.

Please direct informal inquiries about this post to Professor Andrew Turberfield (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online. To apply for this role and for further details, including a job description and selection criteria, please click on the link below:
https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk/pls/hrisliverecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=100492

Only applications received before midday on 29 July 2011 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter and a brief statement of research interests, CV and the details of two referees. Please arrange for your referees to send references by email directly to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by the closing date.