We are recruiting two highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher Assistants to join the laboratory of Dr Greg Findlay in the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU), School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee.

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high-quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 900 staff from over 40 countries worldwide, the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities. The MRC PPU is a top-tier research institute located within the School of Life Sciences. Research Groups in the MRC PPU focus on understanding how protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation control fundamental aspects of human health and how disruption of these cellular signals results in disease.

The goal of the Findlay lab is to understand how signal transduction is disrupted to cause intellectual disability, which is a major healthcare challenge world-wide. Recent data indicates that genes encoding signalling enzymes such as protein kinases are frequently mutated in intellectual disability, suggesting that these components may form novel signalling networks which are required for neurological functioning and are disrupted in patients. This research programme aims to map these signalling pathways, with the overarching goal of uncovering much-needed therapeutic opportunities in this area.

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to utilise exciting new tools and reagents in the lab and expand on our recent progress in dissecting intellectual disability signalling networks.

Approaches will include (phospho)proteomic profiling mass-spectrometry, modelling human neural development using pluripotent stem cells, animal models of intellectual disability, cutting edge biochemistry, and structural analysis using Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (CryoEM) in collaboration with Prof Helen Walden FRSE at the University of Glasgow. The postdocs will be embedded in a dynamic team with a track recordin dissecting intellectual disability signalling networks. They will also have excellent opportunities for further internaland external collaborations with leading expertsin this area.

Summary of Skills, Experience and Qualifications Candidate

Requirements:

• PhD (or will complete your PhD studies within six monthsof the application deadline) and a track record of academic success.
• Strong background in cell and molecular biology,biochemistry, and signal transduction, with expertise in protein chemistry and reversible protein phosphorylation desirable.
• Expertise in structural biology, proteomics or human pluripotent stem cell biology is highly desirable.
• Capable of working in a diverse team, but able to plan and work independently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Appointment will be made for 2 years in the first instance with the possibility of extension. This post sits within Grade 7 of the University's salary scale (£34,308 - £42,155) dependent on experience.

Appointment on the grade 7 salary scale requires that you have been awarded a PhD. However, an appointment may be considered if you are shortly expected to be awarded a PhD. In this case, the initial appointment would be made as a Research Assistant on the Training Grade 7 salary scale (£30,502 - £33,314).

Additional Information

We are one of the UK’s leading universities – internationally recognised for our expertise across a range of disciplines and research breakthroughs in multiple areas, including science, medicine and engineering, amongst many others. Conveniently located on the banks of River Tay, our main city-centre campus is at the heart of Dundee, an up-and-coming, friendly, compact and affordable city with a rich heritage in design and technology. Just a short walk from the V&A Museum of Design Dundee, we’re close to both the train and bus stations.

Find out more about 'Working for the University of Dundee': https://www.dundee.ac.uk/work-for-us

For information on life in Dundee: https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/join-us/life-in-dundee

For information on our values: https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/Equity-Diversity-and-Inclusion

To learn more about our research: https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/research

For informal enquiries or discussions, please contact Dr Greg Findlay: g.m.findlay@dundee.ac.uk

As an internationally diverse institution, we welcome applicants from all countries and nationalities. The School of Life Sciences is proud to employ staff from over 40 different nations. The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning. Family friendly policies, staff networks for BME, Disabled and LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN, the ECU Race Equality Charter and Stonewall as well a full range of disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work.

Commitment to DORA

The School of Life Sciences has been fully committed to the principals of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) since 2013. In assessing applicants, we consider the scientific quality of their published research papers, but do not take into account where the papers were published and do not consider journal-based metrics, such as Journal Impact Factors.