Kairuruku | Research Fellow in Protein Design
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Job Location:
Wellington - New Zealand
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
- Do you have a PhD in biochemistry biotechnology or similar
- Are you organised and systematic in your approach to experimental design laboratory practice and record keeping
- Have you got knowledge of and experience in protein engineering particularly with AI-driven computational design tools
Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role
Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Kairuruku - Research Fellow in Protein Design to join the group led by Professor Wayne Patrick on a two-year fixed-term full-time contract.
The successful candidate will join a well-funded research programme at the interface of biochemistry and immunology which aims to design new vaccines against diseases with pandemic-inducing potential. The Kairuruku - Research Fellow will implement a Design-Build-Test-Learn workflow that uses AI-driven protein design tools and high-throughput screening to evaluate novel antigens for their usefulness when deployed as RNA vaccines.
Key responsibilities:
- Design novel proteins computationally and then conduct the relevant experiments to characterise and rank them.
- Contribute to the supervision and training of students and/or other team members.
- Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication.
- Engage with collaborators (locally nationally and internationally).
Ō pūmanawa - About you
You are passionate about fast-paced innovative and impactful research. You are driven to design novel vaccines against diseases with pandemic-inducing potential. You thrive at the interface between AI-driven protein design and laboratory-based experiments to test your designs. Above all you are excited to contribute your expertise to a highly collaborative multi-disciplinary team.
Key requirements:
- A PhD in biochemistry biotechnology or similar along with evidence of high-quality research outputs.
- Knowledge of and experience in protein particular this will include experience with AI-driven computational design tools as well as functional characterisation of top-ranked designs. Relevant experience will also include high-throughput screening in vitroand/or in cultured mammalian cells.
- An organised and systematic approach to experimental design laboratory practice and record keeping.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently.
Able to relate toand work synergistically witha diverse range of staff and students within the research environment.
Role Description: Click here to see further information including salary details.
If this link is not available click apply to view this on the University careers page.
Close date for vacancy:16 April 2026.
Contact details for vacancy:If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Professor Wayne Patrick ().
How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. You will be required to submit a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) which should highlight publications relevant to this project and should also include the names and contact details of three academic/scientific referees. Along with a CV you must also submit a short cover letter explaining your motivation for the role and why you believe you will be a good fit for it.
Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current relevant visa they will need to secure this independently.
Key Skills
About Company
Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scienti ... View more
