Research Scientist, AI-driven Enzyme Engineering in Environmental Biotechnology (KTP Associate)

As a KTP Associate, you will mainly be based at Inspiralis Ltd. in Norwich, but will work in conjunction with Environmental Biotechnology Innovation Centre hosted at Cranfield University in Cranfield.

The aim of the KTP is to develop and embed an AI-assisted enzyme engineering platform for the design, production and validation of tailored enzymes capable of degrading per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water treatment and environmental remediation applications.

In this role you will deliver a strategic innovation project combining computational modelling, AI-assisted enzyme design, molecular biology, enzyme production, PFAS degradation testing and commercial translation. You will also need to understand that the developments that are made through this project will need to be sense-checked to ensure they make commercial sense.

Key Deliverables

1. Delivery and management of research and knowledge translation (KT) tasks

• Perform applied research in AI-assisted enzyme engineering for PFAS degradation. This will include developing PFAS and enzyme datasets, applying molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, supporting AI-guided enzyme design, producing and characterising engineered enzymes, conducting PFAS degradation tests, and validating enzyme performance under water treatment conditions.
• Disseminate appropriate findings through internal reports, technical presentations, conference contributions and, where IP considerations allow, peer-reviewed publications.
• Support Cranfield colleagues in delivering a Research Excellence Framework impact case study relating to engineering biology, PFAS remediation and environmental biotechnology.
• Raise the profile of Inspiralis Ltd. And Cranfield University through authoring and submission of articles to high impact peer reviewed science journals, and other industry publications

2. Project Management

• Manage the project on a day to day basis, including planning activities, monitoring milestones, identifying risks, documenting progress and providing regular updates to the business and academic supervisors. Maintain clear communication with Inspiralis Ltd., Cranfield University and the Local Management Committee, ensuring that technical, commercial and knowledge transfer objectives remain aligned.

3. Cost-benefit analysis and commercial development

• Work with the Inspiralis senior team and Cranfield supervisors to develop the technical and commercial evidence needed to support future implementation. This will include contributing to techno-economic assessment, product specification, market positioning, intellectual property planning and future commercialisation routes for PFAS-degrading enzymes and related environmental biotechnology products.

4. Personal development, Knowledge base, and company induction

• Undertake personal development activities, KTP training modules, technical training, commercial development activities and relevant conference or workshop participation.
• Contribute to the effective operation of Inspiralis Ltd., ensuring that KTP activities comply with all relevant environmental sustainability, ethical, quality management, data management and health and safety policies.

Please be advised that the percentages allocated for the key deliverables may be adapted to take into account the needs of the PSU/Faculty* and / or University.

The aim of the KTP is to develop and embed an AI-assisted enzyme engineering platform for the design, production and validation of tailored enzymes capable of degrading per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water treatment and environmental remediation applications.