We are recruiting for an exceptional individual to join us as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the Madsen Group, to lead on a systems biology project that seeks to develop and characterise a novel iPSC-based model system for quantitative studies of phenotypic plasticity in the context of genetic PI3K activation. This is a fixed-term appointment for 2 years, with opportunity for extension for another 2 years. The post is funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to Dr Madsen.

The successful applicant will play a leading role in the development and characterisation of a novel induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based disease model system, iPIK3CA-CC. Co-designed with collaborator Joshua Breunig (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), this system will enable high-precision, quantitative control of genetic PI3K pathway activation and studies of lineage-specific phenotypic plasticity.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an ambitious, bold and creative postdoctoral researcher who will benefit from the acquisition of highly competitive, interdisciplinary skills. These include iPSC culture, state-of-the-art gene engineering, molecular lineage tracing, quantitative single-cell phenotyping (scATACseq, scRNAseq, CyTOF, high content imaging), as well as multi-omic data processing and integration.

Your priorities will include:

• Genetic engineering of iPSCs using the MADR system (PMID: 37283517) and MemorySeq barcodes (PMID: 32735851)

• Multi-omic single-cell phenotyping and data processing

• Preparation of high-quality publications

• Internal and external oral presentations

• Rigorous experimental design

Who we’re looking for:

• You are a systems thinker with an interest in quantitative biology

• You are unafraid of tackling interdisciplinary challenges as part of a team

• You are committed to research integrity and open knowledge sharing

• You plan and prioritise own work to meet deadlines

• You use initiative to develop and lead research projects

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 Dr Ralitsa Madsen at rmadsen001@dundee.ac.uk or visit https://ralitsamadsen.wordpress.com/want-to-join-us/ . To find out more about MRC PPU please visit https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/

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.

Link for internal candidates – https://dundee.t1cloud.com/T1Default/CiAnywhere/Web/DUNDEE/RedirectToFunction?token=df61f975-09a5-4c95-852d-7c331b711967&f=%24ORG.REC.MYAPN.WIZ&suite=CES

Link for external candidates – https://dundee.t1cloud.com/T1Default/CiAnywhere/Web/DUNDEE/Public/Function/%24ORG.REC.EXAPN.WIZ/RECRUIT_EXT?suite=CES&token=9efcce5f-0c6b-4d23-9c3a-7c53ccaacbe6

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU):

The MRC PPU is one of the world’s most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation (http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/). 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 (SLS):

The MRC PPU is based within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, 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 60 countries worldwide the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities.

Division of Signal Transduction Unit (DSTT):

The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) was established in 1998. This division operates as a unique collaboration between scientists in the MRC PPU and signalling researchers at the University of Dundee’s School of Life Sciences (Simon Arthur, Doreen Cantrell, Alessio Ciulli, Ron Hay, Angus Lamond, Henry McSorley, Ignacio Moraga, Adrian Saurin) 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.