About the Role
In June, the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through its Sovereign AI Unit to establish the OpenBind Consortium, a pioneering initiative hosted at Diamond Light Source to revolutionize AI-driven drug discovery. OpenBind will spearhead the generation of the world’s largest open dataset of protein-ligand crystal structures paired with affinity measurements, targeting over, datasets in five years - a twenty-fold increase over all publicly available data generated in the past half-century.
This landmark dataset will address a critical bottleneck in pharmaceutical R&D: the scarcity of large-scale, high-quality data linking small molecules to their protein targets. By integrating automated chemistry, protein engineering, high-throughput crystallography, and cutting-edge AI/ML models, OpenBind aims to unlock a new era of generative drug design - enabling breakthroughs in previously intractable diseases and dramatically reducing the cost and timeline of drug development.
We now have an opportunity for a Research Technician to join the OpenBind team at Diamond Light Source. Appointees will contribute Support the ultra-high-throughput generation and dissemination of protein-ligand crystal structures and affinity data for the OpenBind Consortium. Contribute to the creation of a globally accessible, ML-ready dataset that accelerates drug discovery through automation, reproducibility, and scale.
You will:
1. Assist in the training of the clients to use XChem equipment and the laboratory.
2. Perform crystallisation experiments and assess the results, either using crystallisation robots or manually as required.
3. Document and analyse experimental data, reporting results to the senior scientist on the project; assist with presentation of results to clients.
4. General laboratory administrative duties including ordering and maintaining stock of routine supplies.
5. Ensure users comply with the H&S regulations of the laboratory and ensuring good laboratory practice is in place.
About You
You will have a BSc in Biochemistry/Biology or equivalent vocational qualification or relevant laboratory-based experience, as well as:
6. Experience in laboratory-based research.
7. Practical experience with protein biochemistry.
8. Computer literacy using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.
As standard this role requires a fully onsite working arrangement