Research Job at University of Bristol, UK | Research Support Assistant | Earn Up to £40,704
Can AI help researchers design proteins and engineer biological systems? This Research job at the University of Bristol offers recent graduates and early-career researchers the opportunity to explore that question through computational protein design. The Research Support Assistant will contribute to the PIONEER programme, combining AI-based tools, molecular simulations, and collaboration with laboratory researchers. Applicants should already have experience with computational protein design and structure prediction.
- Position: Research Support Assistant
- Location: Bristol, UK
- School: School of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences
- Job Number: ACAD108753
About The University and Research Team
The position sits within the University of Bristol’s School of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, part of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. The selected candidate will work with Prof. Ross Anderson, Prof. Mark Szczelkun, and a multidisciplinary team on computational protein design and engineering biology.
Research Support Assistant Job Description
The role supports PIONEER—Programmable In-Organellar Nucleic-acid Entry, Expression and Retention—a multi-institutional programme funded through the ARIA Precision Mitochondria scheme. The project brings together researchers across disciplines to develop approaches for engineering biological systems and organelles.
The selected candidate will apply computational methods to protein and peptide design and support research data generation and analysis. Training, mentorship, and research experience are intended to support future progression towards Research Associate positions.
Research Job – Key Responsibilities
- Design protein and peptide binders using computational methods and AI-based tools, including RFDiffusion3, proteinMPNN, Boltzgen, and DiffDock.
- Use structure prediction platforms such as AF3, ESMFold2, and Boltz-2 on high-performance computing clusters to develop and optimize design pipelines.
- Perform molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate protein structures and interactions.
- Work with research software engineers and specialist platforms to support project development on Isambard-AI.
- Collaborate with laboratory researchers on experimental characterization of designed proteins and peptides.
- Analyze and present findings at team meetings and contribute to scientific publications.
- Maintain accurate research records and support project reporting and milestone delivery.
- Support and occasionally train students or colleagues in computational methods.
Educational Requirements and Eligibility For Research Job
- A degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
- Interest in developing a research career in computational biology, protein engineering, or a related field.
- Experience with computational protein design methods and associated data analysis.
- Experience using protein structure prediction tools such as AF3 and Boltz-2.
Graduate Eligibility: The role is suitable for recent graduates and early-career researchers who can demonstrate the required computational experience.
Skills and Qualifications
- Strong written and verbal communication, including clear presentation of scientific findings.
- Ability to work independently and recognize when guidance is needed.
- Good organizational skills and effective workload management.
- A collaborative approach to multidisciplinary research.
Preferred Experience: High-performance computing, gene editing systems, bacterial defence systems, or research laboratory environments would be advantageous but are not essential.
Salary and Development
The salary is £36,320–£40,704 per annum, Grade H. The role provides training, mentorship, and research experience in computational protein design and engineering biology.
Research Job – Application Details
- Application Deadline: November 2, 2026, at 23:59 UK time.
- Shortlisting: November 3, 2026.
- Interviews: November 10, 2026.
- Contract: Fixed-term contract (Specialist Skills); duration not specified.
- Work Schedule: Full-time, 35 hours per week.
- Informal Enquiries: Prof. Ross Anderson — [email protected] | 0117 455 8937.
Looking for a Research job that builds on your computational biology experience? This University of Bristol opportunity combines protein design, AI-based research tools, and experimental collaboration within the PIONEER programme. If you meet the technical requirements, prepare your application before November 2, 2026.
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