The Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU) is a major research facility embedded within the School of Life Sciences. Our research is aimed at understanding how protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation regulates biological processes, and how disruptions of pathways controlled by phosphorylation and/or ubiquitylation cause major human diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration and immunity disorders. One of the core technologies used by all of our researchers is mass spectrometry and the MRC-PPU possesses a state of the art facility equipped with a Thermo Fusion, Thermo LTQ OrbiTrap VelosPro, Thermo LTQ OrbiTrap VelosPro with ETD, and ABSciex QTrap 5500, each with a Thermo/Dionex U3000 LC, a Bruker RapiFlex MALDI-ToF-ToF, and two Thermo/Dionex U3000 systems for protein/peptide fractionation.

Following the retirement of a senior member of our team after 34 years service, we are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and experienced scientist with considerable expertise in mass spectrometry to take charge of organising this facility and its two research staff. The successful applicant will play a major role in working together with our group leaders and staff within their laboratories and will be responsible for ensuring the mass spectrometry facility is set up so as to complement the research of the Unit. Responsibility for analysing and interpreting data that emerges from this work will also play an important part of this role. The successful applicant will control the organisation of the sample workflows, oversee the maintenance and quality control of the instruments in particular and of the Mass Spectrometry Lab in general. They will be involved in writing up and evaluating data for publication and for preparing mass spectrometry sections for grant applications. The post holder will also be involved in the long-term development of mass spectrometry systems and methodologies in the MRC-PPU, and in liaising effectively with the other research staff within the MRC-PPU mass spectrometry facility. This position provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in numerous important research projects and for the successful applicant to have an important role in the research of the MRC Unit.

Candidate requirements:
• Senior level experience in academia or industry in a mass spectrometry-based environment
• PhD in a related discipline or significant experience at a senior level
• Strong background in mass spectrometry and related techniques and analysis
• Experience and interest in signal transduction research and how disruptions of these pathways are linked to human disease
• Understanding and experience of the latest techniques in proteomics, especially TMT applications
• Capable of working as part of a team and able to provide leadership to the rest of the team of scientists and technicians.
• Excellent communication skills and knowledge of the English language are essential.
• Understanding of software packages such as, Mascot, MaxQuant, Proteome Discoverer and Excalibur is essential. Knowledge of Scaffold, Skyline, FlexControl and FlexAnalysis is advantageous.
• Applicants should have a good understanding of statistical methods and their application to large datasets.

Essential requirements include:
- Significant experience of proteomics and mass spectrometry based analysis of protein phosphorylation and identification in an academic or industry environment.
- Evidence of a solid publication track record, significant knowledge of the operation and maintenance of OrbiTrap Mass Spectrometry systems, use of global proteomic as well as phosphorylation and/or ubiquitylation analysis. Experience of MALDI-ToF-ToF MS would also be advantageous.
- Understanding and expert ability to utilise the software packages Mascot, MaxQuant, Proteome Discoverer and Excalibur. Knowledge of Scaffold, Skyline, FlexControl, FlexAnalysis advantageous.
- The ability to communicate effectively with staff at all levels.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Paul Davies (MRC PPU Manager), p.y.davies@dundee.ac.uk or Dario Alessi (MRC PPU Director) d.r.alessi@dundee.ac.uk

This is a permanent MRC supported core funded position with funding renewal decisions undertake by the MRC every 5 years.