Research Associate in Liposome Technologies

Location: Imperial College, South Kensington Campus

About the role:

Be part of an exciting new effort to engineer liposome-based delivery systems for bacteriophages targeting mitochondria. This role will see you lead the liposome engineering aspects of a highly ambitious project, combining encapsulation strategies, microfluidic platform development and biological assay design within a collaborative programme spanning Imperial and an early-stage biotech partner.

What you would be doing:

• You will take the lead on an ambitious ARIA-funded project to engineer new ways of reprogramming mitochondria using bacteriophages, which will be delivered to cells using liposomes.
• This position is about building entirely new experimental capabilities, combining drug delivery, synthetic biology, microfluidics and biomembrane engineering to unlock intracellular delivery challenges.
• Your work will focus on the liposome engineering aspects of the project, while collaborating closely with researchers specialising in bacteriophage engineering, synthetic biology and mitochondrial biology.

Your core focus will include:

• Designing delivery systems: You will develop methods to encapsulate bacteriophages within liposomes and engineer these systems to enable efficient uptake and functional delivery into mitochondria. This will involve designing liposome formulations for stability, encapsulation efficiency and cellular uptake.
• Pioneering microfluidic approaches: You will leverage state-of-the-art high-throughput screening platforms in the Elani Lab and design and optimise devices for controlled encapsulation of complex biological cargo.
• Developing and deploying biological assays: You will establish assays to quantify delivery efficiency and intracellular behaviour, investigate interactions between bacteriophages and mitochondria, and evaluate functional outcomes in cell culture systems.

You will be part of a highly collaborative and dynamic environment:

• Work within a world-leading lab in bioinspired engineering.
• Collaborate closely with Symbiosis Lab, a startup partner driving bacteriophage engineering.
• Contribute to a fast-paced, mission-driven ARIA programme at the cutting edge of precision mitochondrial engineering.
• Operate at the interface of academia and early-stage biotech, gaining translational experience.
• You will also be embedded in the Imperial Engineering Biology Centre, one of Europe’s most concentrated hubs of synthetic biology expertise, with full access to state-of-the-art facilities.

What we are looking for:

We are seeking highly motivated, collaborative and forward-thinking researchers. We are particularly interested in candidates who are excited by hands-on discovery, enjoy working across disciplines and want to help build new technologies with real scientific and translational impact. The ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• A PhD, or be close to PhD submission, in Chemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research or industrial experience.
• A track record of thriving in vibrant, multidisciplinary, and collaborative research environments.
• Experience working with liposomes, lipid nanoparticles or related self-assembled nanoscale systems.
• Practical expertise in a range of relevant methods, such as cell biology, membrane biophysics, microfluidics, fluorescence-based techniques, biochemical assays, microscopy and analytical characterisation.
• Experience with automation, high-throughput screening or platform-based experimental workflows would be a strong advantage.
• Experience working with cell culture and relevant biochemical or functional assays for investigating and assessing drug delivery would be an advantage.
• A genuine enthusiasm for team science, working closely with others and contributing to a high-energy, high-impact research programme.

Above all, we are looking for builders and doers. This is a highly practical, hands-on project that will suit someone who enjoys getting stuck in, trying new things, solving problems creatively, and finding ways to make things work even when faced with challenges or setbacks.

What we can offer you:

• A chance to help shape a new technological frontier, with dedicated mentorship and career development support from leading academics.
• The opportunity to work across academia and a startup setting, developing experience at the interface of discovery science, innovation, and translation.
• 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.
• As a member of research staff you have 10 development days to use to develop your skills and explore your career prospects.
• 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.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £43,863 – £47,223 per annum.

Further Information:

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week). This role is for a fixed-term contract for 24 months, with the possibility of an extension.

If you require any further details about the role, please contact: Yuval Elani - y.elani@imperial.ac.uk

You will find this vacancy by searching either the position title or job number: ENG03988.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 24th August.

For technical issues when applying online please email support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk