The Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit is a major research facility embedded within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee. 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.

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

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.

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

The position will be on the University of Dundee Grade 8 (£39,992 – £47,772 per annum).

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

College / School / Directorate Information

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (PPU):

The MRC-PPU is one of the world’s most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation. We currently have 12 research groups and ~100 staff members. Many world leading researchers in the field of signal transduction have trained within the MRC-PPU. The major aims of the MRC-PPU are to advance understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation, to generate reagents and improve technologies. A key remit of the MRC-PPU is to train the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of medical research.

School of Life Sciences:

School of Life Sciences which the MRC-PPU is embedded at the University of Dundee is the highest-rated for Biological Sciences in the UK by the main standard of University research performance REF2014 (http://www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/). Comprising about 100 research groups, the highest number of citations-per-paper for biological sciences in Europe (2013 and 2014 QS World University Rankings), over £100 million of research income in 2013 and nearly 900 staff from over 60 countries worldwide, the School enjoys a reputation as one of the most dynamic international centres for molecular cell biology, with outstanding laboratory and technology facilities. 'Lateral' and 'vertical' interactions within and between research groups are actively encouraged and 13% of publications in the past 5 years have been collaborations between two or more groups.

Division of Signal Transduction Unit

The MRC-PPU is also coordinates The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT). This division operates as a unique collaboration between scientists in the MRC-PPU (all PIs including Ronald Hay FRS Honorary PI of MRC-PPU) and signalling researchers at the University of Dundee’s College of Life Sciences (Simon Arthur, Doreen Cantrell FRS, Alessio Ciulli, Paul Crocker, Grahame Hardie FRS and Carol MacKintosh) and three leading pharmaceutical companies (Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Serono). The DSTT is widely regarded as a model for how academia should interact with industry, The DSTT operates as a simple bridging mechanism to enable our PIs working on ubiquitylation and phosphorylation to effectively interact with three major pharmaceutical companies to help accelerate the early stages of drug discovery. The DSTT model enables industrial researchers working in any of the worldwide outlets of three pharmaceutical companies to effectively work with the ~200 Dundee-based researchers that participate in the collaboration to understand the fundamentals of the molecular causes of disease that result from disruptions in protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation networks. It is possible that some of the collaborative projects that the successful candidate would work on could be linked to DSTT and pharmaceutical company projects.

Diversity and equality of opportunity:

The University of Dundee is a highly diverse community and is fully committed to equal opportunities for all, by providing a supportive, flexible and inclusive working environment. The MRC PPU is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity amongst all our researchers. This included working with the local Athena SWAN charter to promote the recruitment and retention of women in STEMM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) in higher education and providing bespoke support for career development as required. The University of Dundee and the School of Life Sciences hold Athena SWAN Bronze Awards (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/about/athenaswan/), which recognises the importance we give to gender equality, and we have made further commitments to build an inclusive culture that supports and encourages all, including currently under-represented groups.

The University of Dundee has a range of family friendly policies, including flexible working, childcare vouchers, and a highly flexible approach to maternity and paternity leave. The University of Dundee also has staff groups for LGBT and BME, and prayer room facilities, and aims to promote a healthy work-life balance.

Additional Information

The University of Dundee is a diverse community and is committed to equality of opportunity for all by providing a supportive, flexible and inclusive working environment. 　We have family friendly policies (including flexible working and childcare vouchers), staff groups for LGBT and BME; and prayer room facilities.
　
The University of Dundee has received the Athena SWAN Bronze Award (Athena Swan) which recognises the promotion of gender equality and has made further commitment to advancing inclusive culture which supports and encourages all under-represented groups.
　
The University of Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No. SC015096.