Appointment: The MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit (PPU) (www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk), a world-renowned centre for the study of signal transduction, was established in 1990 under the leadership of Sir Philip Cohen. This Unit is closely annexed with the recently formed Protein Ubiquitylation Unit within the Scottish Institute for ceLL Signaling (SCILLS) at Dundee (www.scills.ac.uk). SCILLS and the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit will merge in the near future to form a new MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit that will still be known as the MRC-PPU. In April 2012, Dario Alessi will take up position as the new Director. The main aims of the Unit are to achieve major advances in understanding the roles that protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation play in cell regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, to generate reagents that will facilitate these aims, to devise new technologies and to improve existing ones. Another key remit of the MRC PPU is to train to the highest standards, the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of biomedical research.

The MRC-PPU has an exceptional track record of collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry through its close relationship with the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT), a unique collaboration with five of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, namely AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Merck-Serono and Pfizer. The DSTT collaboration is currently dedicated to the study of protein kinases and phosphatases. However, due to increasing interest from the pharmaceutical industry, the remit of the DSTT will be broadened from July 2012 to encompass the ubiquitylation system as well as kinases. The aim of the collaboration will be to accelerate the development compounds that modulate the function of components of the ubiquitylation system, as well as phosphorylation, for the treatment of disease and the study of cell signalling.

The MRC-PPU has vacancies for both junior and senior Principal Investigators. The collaborative and highly interactive research environment with the Unit and our state-of-the-art facilities will provide exciting opportunities for ambitious PIs with front-line projects that fit well with the overall remit Unit. The following areas of research which would complement the Units strength and expertise will be given priority:

Chemical biology
We are keen to recruit a PI with expertise in cutting edge medicinal chemistry, who is interested in developing novel tool compounds to analyse the roles that protein phosphorylation and/or ubiquitylation networks play in controlling biological systems. A strong interest in collaborating with the pharmaceutical companies that supporting the DSTT, MRC Technology and/or clinicians would be a great advantage. There is already a very strong research base in medicinal chemistry within the Drug Discovery Unit of the University of Dundee’s College of Life Sciences. Establishing a base within the MRC-PPU own unit would further strengthen this area of research and open up new opportunities for synergy and collaboration. The College of Life Sciences is currently building a new four-story research centre- the “Centre for Translational and Interdisciplinary Research” (http://www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/other/ctir/) - which will house state-of-the-art medicinal chemistry labs and that will linked with the MRC-PPU. This new centre is due for completion by the end of 2013.

Structural biology expertise
We are keen to recruit an outstanding PI with a strong background in structural biology with ambitious front-line projects that fit well with the remit of the MRC-PPU. We are ideally searching for a PI with the capability of adding insightful structural perspectives to aid our understanding of the regulation and function of proteins that play critical roles in controlling phosphorylation and/or ubiquitylation pathways. We would also hope that the PI appointed to this position would be eager to initiate collaborations with other PIs within the MRC-PPU.

Cancer biology
We are keen to recruit an outstanding PI with an exciting research programme that aims to uncover new roles that phosphorylation and/or ubiquitylation networks play in cancer. An interest in exploiting research findings to develop new strategies to initiate drug discovery efforts in collaboration with the pharmaceutical companies supporting the DSTT, MRC technology or academic drug discovery Units would be particularly welcome. Other areas Researchers working in other important areas of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation that fit well with the MRC-PPUs remit, particularly areas relevant to human disease are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The College of Life Sciences
For further information about the College of Life Sciences, including the exceptional facilities and support for Principal Investigators go to: http://jobs.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/

Apply: Informal enquiries can be made in strict confidence by contacting Dario Alessi (d.r.alessi@dundee.ac.uk or Tel +44 1382 385602). Formal applications can be made by submitting a covering letter which briefly outlines your current research and proposed future research as well as a CV. Applications will also be treated with the upmost confidentiality.

The University of Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

The University of Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No. SC015096.

Appointment: Characterisation of Parkinson’s disease by proteomics and phosphoproteomics

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position to work with Dr Matthias Trost on a joint project with Prof Dario Alessi aimed at studying protein kinases involved in Parkinson’s disease. Recent findings demonstrate that autosomal dominant point mutations within the gene encoding for the Leucine Rich Repeat protein Kinase-2 (LRRK2) predispose humans to develop Parkinson’s disease (PD). Mutations in LRRK2 are frequent, accounting for ~5% of familial PD, and are also found in sporadic PD. Little is known about LRRK2 regulation, its substrates and how mutations cause PD.

We seek a talented and enthusiastic post-doctoral scientist with a background in mass spectrometry, biochemistry, cell biology or a related field. The successful applicant will have an outstanding academic track record and have published at least one first authored paper in an international journal. The candidate will ideally have experience with large-scale proteome and/or phosphoproteome analyses, and knowledge and working experience with mass spectrometry systems and quantitative proteomics as well as the ability to use bioinformatic tools to analyse large-scale data. Knowledge of cell signalling, biochemistry and cell biology would be an advantage, but is not essential. In addition, the candidate should be able to work independently and thrive in a multi-disciplinary research environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential as is the ability to work as part of a team.

The position is for 3 years and is available immediately, but applicants wishing to start at any time up to 1st January 2013 will be considered.

The Unit’s proteomics facility is equipped with five state-of-the-art mass spectrometers including three Orbitraps, a MALDI TOF UltrafleXtreme and a QTrap 5500. The Unit’s innovative collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry won a Queen’s Anniversary Award for higher education in 2006.

The MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit is one of world’s leading centres for research on protein kinases and cell signalling and is funded and equipped to the highest international standards. It is based within the College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, which has been voted regularly into Europe’s Top10 “Best Place to Work in Academia” in the last annual surveys compiled by The Scientist.

In addition to an excellent scientific environment Dundee offers an affordable standard of living in an area of outstanding natural beauty situated beside the sea and the Highlands of Scotland. According to the British meteorological office Dundee is the UK’s sunniest city.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Matthias Trost, m.trost@dundee.ac.uk.

Apply: How to Apply
To apply on-line please visit: www.dundee.ac.uk/jobs. If you are unable to apply on-line please contact Human Resources on (01382) 386209 (answering machine) for an application pack. Please quote reference number LS0181.

The University of Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

The University of Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No. SC015096