Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in genome-scale metabolic modelling for red blood cell engineering

The role

Join the School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology at the University of Bristol as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in genome-scale metabolic modelling for red blood cell engineering. This exciting research position forms part of the highly collaborative Aerobic Engineering Biology programme, led by Professor Ashley Toye, which brings together researchers from the University of Bristol, Northwestern University and industrial partners to engineer red blood cells capable of sensing and responding to changes in their metabolic environment.

You will lead the metabolic modelling aspects of this programme, developing and applying genome-scale mathematical models to understand red blood cell maturation and predict how engineered biological circuits interact with endogenous cellular metabolism. Working in Professor Lucia Marucci’s group and alongside experimental researchers, you will help create an iterative modelling–experiment cycle that informs the design and optimisation of engineered therapeutic red blood cells.

What will you be doing?

You will:

• Develop and refine genome-scale metabolic models of reticulocytes and mature red blood cells using published knowledge and experimental data generated through the project.
• Build mathematical models of engineered gene and enzyme circuits and integrate these into broader metabolic modelling frameworks.
• Analyse metabolomics and other experimental datasets to investigate metabolic changes during red blood cell maturation and engineering.
• Collaborate closely with experimental researchers at the University of Bristol and Northwestern University to validate models and optimise synthetic circuit design.
• Work with academic collaborators, industrial partners and the wider research consortium to advance project objectives.
• Maintain accurate records of code, computational models and research outputs to support reproducible research.
• Contribute to monthly project progress reports and dissemination of research findings through high-quality publications.

You should apply if

You are an enthusiastic researcher with expertise in genome-scale metabolic modelling, mathematical modelling and programming, and you are excited by interdisciplinary research at the interface of engineering biology and computational modelling.

You should have:

• A PhD (or be close to completion) or equivalent research experience in mathematics, bioengineering, engineering biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology or a closely related discipline.
• Expertise in genome-scale metabolic modelling.
• Strong mathematical modelling and programming skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with experimental scientists.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to publish high-quality research.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team and delivering research to agreed deadlines.

Experience in engineering biology, multiomics data integration, large collaborative research projects or research funding applications would be advantageous.

Additional information

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineering.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/category/engineering-includes-me/

Contract type: Open-ended with fixed funding until 05/12/2027

School/Unit: School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Sunday 11th October 2026

For informal queries please contact: Professor Lucia Marucci lucia.marucci@bristol.ac.uk

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£39,906 to £50,253 per annum (depending on experience), Grade: I or J