Research Assistant (Fixed Term)
We are seeking an enthusiastic and independent full-time Research Assistant to join the Borodavka group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology who is keen to gain hands-on experience in advanced molecular and biophysical techniques, with a particular focus on the study of biomolecular condensates.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to a dynamic research programme investigating the formation and regulation of RNA-protein condensates, with particular interest in their role in viral replication and cellular RNA biology. The work will be experimental and technically varied, providing training in a range of modern biochemical and imaging techniques. This includes:
¿ Supporting ongoing projects on the in vitro reconstitution and characterisation of biomolecular condensates.
¿ Performing recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial and/or eukaryotic systems, including the handling of intrinsically disordered proteins, and isotopic labelling of proteins.
¿ Using fluorescence microscopy techniques to visualize and analyse condensate formation and dynamics in vitro.
¿ Maintaining accurate laboratory records, assisting with data analysis, and contributing to the preparation of research outputs.
This role is ideally suited to an enthusiastic and motivated recent graduate who is looking to build a strong technical foundation for future research or postgraduate study. Prior experience in recombinant protein expression and purification, or with intrinsically disordered proteins, is desirable. Full training will be provided, and the role offers an excellent environment for professional development in an interdisciplinary and collaborative lab. More information on the role is available in the Further Particulars attached.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30th November 2025 in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mr Vito Candela, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.
Applications closing date 17th of July 2025.
Please quote reference NQ46502 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Research Assistant (Fixed Term)
We are seeking an enthusiastic and independent full-time Research Assistant to join the Borodavka group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology who is keen to gain hands-on experience in advanced molecular and biophysical techniques, with a particular focus on the study of biomolecular condensates.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to a dynamic research programme investigating the formation and regulation of RNA-protein condensates, with particular interest in their role in viral replication and cellular RNA biology. The work will be experimental and technically varied, providing training in a range of modern biochemical and imaging techniques. This includes:
¿ Supporting ongoing projects on the in vitro reconstitution and characterisation of biomolecular condensates.
¿ Performing recombinant protein expression and purification in bacterial and/or eukaryotic systems, including the handling of intrinsically disordered proteins, and isotopic labelling of proteins.
¿ Using fluorescence microscopy techniques to visualize and analyse condensate formation and dynamics in vitro.
¿ Maintaining accurate laboratory records, assisting with data analysis, and contributing to the preparation of research outputs.
This role is ideally suited to an enthusiastic and motivated recent graduate who is looking to build a strong technical foundation for future research or postgraduate study. Prior experience in recombinant protein expression and purification, or with intrinsically disordered proteins, is desirable. Full training will be provided, and the role offers an excellent environment for professional development in an interdisciplinary and collaborative lab. More information on the role is available in the Further Particulars attached.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30th November 2025 in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Mr Vito Candela, HR Administrator, at hr@ceb.cam.ac.uk.
Applications closing date 17th of July 2025.
Please quote reference NQ46502 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Strain relaxation in halide perovskites via 2D/3D perovskite heterojunction formation
Sci Adv. 2025 Jun 27;11(26):eadu3459. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adu3459. Epub 2025 Jun 27.
ABSTRACT
Applying mechanical strain and strain engineering to halide perovskites has endowed them with intriguing properties. However, an in-depth understanding of mechanical strain, including residual strain in halide perovskites, remains incomplete, coupled with the critical challenge of decoupling strain effects from other interferences. Here, we examine the relaxation of residual tensile strain in three-dimensional (3D) halide perovskites through 2D/3D perovskite heterojunction formation. The 2D perovskite induces structural fragmentation in 3D perovskites, facilitating plastic relaxation of tensile strain. By isolating extrinsic crystalline phase interference and exciton-related optical disturbances, we observe that 3D perovskites retain high crystallinity only with moderate tensile strain relaxation. This moderate relaxation enhances optoelectronic properties in 3D perovskites, including broadened band-to-band absorption and prolonged charge carrier lifetime, markedly contributing to an increase in the maximum attainable power conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. Our findings outline conditions for strain relaxation that optimize optoelectronic properties, advancing strain engineering in halide perovskites.
PMID:40577478 | PMC:PMC12204152 | DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adu3459
Tunable Self-Assembly of Decanuclear Ni(II) Carbonato Clusters with a Hydroxyquinolinato Shell: Robust Porous Networks with Reversible Solvent-/Temperature-Driven Phase Transitions and Selective Gas Separation
J Am Chem Soc. 2025 Jun 4;147(22):19073-19083. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5c04096. Epub 2025 May 27.
ABSTRACT
The utilization of molecular metal clusters as building units of noncovalent porous materials (NPMs) is a promising strategy, combining the versatile functionality of organic and inorganic subunits with the softness and flexibility of molecular solids controlled by noncovalent interactions. However, the development of robust porous functional frameworks based on self-assembly driven by noncovalent forces is still highly challenging. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a discrete decanuclear Ni(II) hydroxyquinolinato-carbonato cluster, [Ni10(μ6-CO3)4(L)12], which, depending on the crystallization conditions, self-assembles into either of two microporous frameworks: diamondoid WUT-1(Ni) and pyrite WUT-2(Ni). The transitions between both polymorphs can also be selectively triggered by temperature or exposure to vapors of a particular organic solvent, which is accompanied by the easy recovery of crystallinity by the materials from the noncrystalline phase. Moreover, both materials show excellent robustness toward various chemical environments, including air/moisture and water stability, and demonstrate interesting gas adsorption properties. Remarkably, WUT-1(Ni) exhibits significant enhancement in gas uptake compared to the previously reported isostructural Zn(II) analogue, WUT-1(Zn), representing one of the highest H2 uptakes among NPMs. In turn, tighter voids of the ultramicroporous WUT-2(Ni) framework facilitate selective interactions with gas molecules, resulting in outstanding selectivity in the adsorption of CO2 over CH4 and N2. The presented studies demonstrate the profound role of the character of metal centers on the self-assembly of isostructural nanoclusters as well as properties of the resulting microporous frameworks.
PMID:40421976 | PMC:PMC12147118 | DOI:10.1021/jacs.5c04096
Engineering Bodipy-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient Full-Spectrum Photocatalysis in Amide Synthesis
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2025 Jun 10;64(24):e202505405. doi: 10.1002/anie.202505405. Epub 2025 Apr 14.
ABSTRACT
Developing photocatalysts that can efficiently utilize the full solar spectrum is a crucial step toward transforming sustainable energy solutions. Due to their light absorption limitations, most photo-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are constrained to the ultraviolet (UV) and blue light regions. Expanding their absorption to encompass the entire solar spectrum would unlock their full potential, greatly enhancing efficiency and applicability. Here, we report the design and synthesis of a series of highly stable boron-dipyrromethene (bodipy)-based MOFs (BMOFs) by reacting dicarboxyl-functionalized bodipy ligands with Zr-oxo clusters. Leveraging the acidity of the methyl groups on the bodipy backbone, we expanded the conjugation system through a solid-state condensation reaction with various aldehydes, achieving full-color absorption, thereby extending the band edge into the near-infrared (NIR) and infrared (IR) regions. These BMOFs demonstrated exceptional reactivity and recyclability in heterogeneous photocatalytic activities, including C─H bond activation of saturated aza-heterocycles and C─N bond cleavage of N,N-dimethylanilines to produce amides under visible light. Our findings highlight the transformative potential of BMOFs in photocatalysis, marking a significant leap forward in the design of advanced photocatalytic materials with tunable properties.
PMID:40192658 | PMC:PMC12144902 | DOI:10.1002/anie.202505405