The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) is 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 cancer, immune-regulation, neurodegeneration and hypertension resulting from disruptions in protein phosphorylation, ubiquitylation and other signalling networks. Following the renewal of this collaboration, a range of opportunities have been created for enthusiastic ambitious researchers with a strong interest in cell signalling and disease

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work in the laboratory of Dario Alessi to focus on the development of research tools to aid drug discovery and diagnostics in a neurodegenerative disorder. This would include working with one of our pharmaceutical partners on the design, development and detailed characterisation of antibodies to a novel group of targets. There will also be opportunity to work on other projects related to the core subject area and remit of the company.

The successful applicant will deploy a state-of-the-art blend of biochemical, pharmacological and genetic methodologies including CRISPR/CAS9 knock-out and knock-in technology. There would also be strong opportunities for interactions with the several major Pharmaceutical companies supporting the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy DSTT to accelerate the exploitation of discoveries. This makes this position especially interesting for those interested in a research career outside of academia.

For informal enquiries please contact Dario Alessi d.r.alessi@dundee.ac.uk.

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (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 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 (all PIs including Ronald Hay FRS Honorary PI of MRC-PPU) and signalling researchers at the University of Dundee’s School 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.

Candidate requirements:

• PhD with outstanding academic track record and at least one first authored publication in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal.

• Strong background in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Signal Transduction 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, but 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 will be made as a Research Assistant on the Training Grade 7 salary scale (Spinal Point 28, £31,302).

The position is available for 2 years

The position will be on the University of Dundee Grade 7 scale points 29-31 only (£30,738 – £32,600 per annum).

The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee one of the top universities in the UK. Family friendly policies, staff support networks for BME and LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN and Stonewall, as well a full range of disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work.