We are recruiting for an exceptional individual to join us as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant with Raja Nirujogi. ALS and Clinical proteomics. This is a fixed-term appointment for 36 months.

We are looking for an ambitious post-doctoral research fellow who will work in an inter-disciplinary, collaborative project between Dr Nirujogi’s laboratory at MRC-Protein Phosphorylation Unit, University of Dundee and Prof Siddharthan Chandran / Dr Selvaraj at UK-Dementia Research Institute at University of Edinburgh. The project aims to identify and develop novel biomarkers for Motor Neuron Disease and related neurodegenerative diseases by exploiting deeply curated patient cohorts from Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic (Edinburgh) and quantitative proteomics by apply state-of-the-art Mass Spectrometry technologies (Dundee). Furthermore, the project involves in collaborating with international consortiums such Global Neurodegeneration Proteomics consortium (GNPC), Gates Ventures where we will contribute and access proteomics data from large cohort of patients living with neurodegenerative diseases including motor neuron disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease etc., to identify disease specific biomarkers. The post holder will conduct original research and produce data for high quality publications, grant proposals and dissemination to the public. The post-holder will have opportunity to work in both labs at University of Dundee and Edinburgh. This post is ideally serves as a springboard for those motivated to pursue for independent career fellowships or industry career in future. Our recent publications on this area (PMID: Nirujogi et al., Biochem J, 2021; Fan et al., Acta neuropathol, 2021, Banerjee et al., Science Advances, 2023). The post holder will closely interact with a multidisciplinary team of translational neuroscientists, MND clinicians, drug discovery experts to translate identified biomarkers to MND-SMART clinical trial. We will employ cutting edge transcriptomics and proteomics on state-of-the-art Orbitrap Astral and tims-TOF SCP mass spectrometers and proteogenomic analysis in developing multiplexed targeted PRM assays in clinical samples. This is a fixed-term appointment for 36 months.

Enthusiastic candidate should have recently completed a PhD with a strong background and interest in neurodegeneration and mass spectrometry-based proteomics. The position will be a fantastic opportunity to work alongside with multidisciplinary team employing cutting-edge technologies such as transcriptomics, quantitative proteomics and proteogenomic analysis. The candidate will be part of ongoing collaborative research projects between MRC-PPU Dundee and University of Edinburgh. This opportunity will strengthen their skill sets and career development in clinical proteomics and neurodegeneration.

Your priorities will include:

• Undertaking research aimed at developing a compendium of TDP-43 mediated cryptic exons/peptides in human primary macrophages and clinical samples by employing transcriptomic, quantitative proteomic and proteogenomic analysis.

• Project development and implementation by performing primary cell culture, sample preparation for mass spectrometry analysis. Development of Parallel Reaction Monitoring assays for cryptic peptides.

• Integration of transcriptomic and proteomic data to perform proteogenomic analysis and bioinformatic analysis.

• Serum/plasma sample proteomic preparation, quantitative proteomic data acquisition and data analysis.

• Working closely with other lab members and collaborators and able to present and discuss scientific work at group meetings and scientific conference and meetings with external collaborators.

Who we’re looking for:

• PhD with an outstanding track record with clear evidence of at least one first-authored publication in an internationally recognized peer-reviewed journal

• Strong enthusiasm to neurobiology and neurodegeneration. Strong background in Quantitative proteomics using High-resolution mass spectrometry including sample preparation and database searches using MS-Fragger, DIA-NN and Skyline software suites.

• Prior experience in developing PRM assay is advantageous but not essential.

• Experience with R or Python and able to write, modify and implement published code and packages for data analysis and visualization.

• Excellent communication and proficiency in English.

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. Our purpose is to transform lives, locally and globally, which we do as a community of staff (Professional Services and academic Schools), students and alumni. Professional Services directorates are key to delivering the University strategy and driving change across the University.

For further information about this position please contact Raja Nirujogi (Email: rnirujogi@dundee.ac.uk) To find out more about MRC PPU please visit https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/

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.

As an internationally diverse institution, we welcome job 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.