We are seeking postdoctoral researchers to participate in the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) collaboration between the world’s major pharmaceutical companies (Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, and Merck-Serono) and leading Dundee-based researchers with a proven track record of achievement in understanding and exploiting the fundamental molecular causes of human disease in the fields of neurodegeneration, cancer and immune-regulation resulting from disruptions in protein phosphorylation, ubiquitylation and other signalling networks.

As a result of a renewal in funding we are seeking to appoint postdoctoral researchers who will be based at the University of Dundee, to work with our collaborating companies on a variety of cutting edge collaborative projects to accelerate the understanding of biology required to develop improved drugs to treat global diseases - such as Parkinson's Disease, cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Candidates with a background in technologies such as mass spectrometry and structural biology who have an interest to gain experience in more disease related research are encouraged to apply.

The successful applicants, depending on interests and expertise, will be placed in one of 23 laboratories in the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit (http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/) or the School of Life Sciences (http://www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/) who have a major interest and track record in Cell signalling. The applicants will employ whatever technologies are required to address the projects that they are working on and will include a state-of-the-art blend of molecular, biochemical, physiological proteomic, pharmacological and genetic methodologies including CRISPR/CAS9 knock-out and knock-in technology.

Summary of Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• PhD with outstanding academic track record and at least one first authored publication in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal.
• Strong background in one or more of the following: Biochemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Biology, Signal Transduction, and/or Structural analysis would be preferable.
• Experience and strong interest in signal transduction research and how disruptions of these pathways are linked to human disease.
• Capable of working in a team, and able to plan and work independently.
• Excellent communication skills and knowledge of the English language are essential.
• The candidate should have ambitions to become a successful independent researcher either in academia or the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry.

Appointment as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant on the Grade 7 salary scale is dependent upon you having been awarded a PhD. An appointment may be considered if you are shortly expected to be awarded a PhD. The initial appointment would be made as a Research Assistant on the Training Grade 7 salary scale (Spinal Point 25-28 £29,176 - £31,866).

College / School / Directorate Information

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU):
The MRC PPU and the 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:
School of Life Sciences 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 Therapy Unit:
The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) was established in 1998. This division operates as a unique collaboration between scientists in the MRC PPU (Dario Alessi, Philip Cohen, Greg Findlay, Ian Ganley, Yogesh Kulathu, Karim Labib, Miratul Muqit, John Rouse, Adrien Rouseau, Gopal Sapkota, Esther Sammler, Mahima Swamy, Satpal Virdee) and signalling researchers at the University of Dundee’s School of Life Sciences (Simon Arthur, Doreen Cantrell, Alessio Ciulli, Victoria Cowling, Ron Hay, Angus Lamond, Henry McSorley, Ignacio Moraga, Adrian Saurin, Gabriel Sollberger) 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.

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.