Postdoctoral Research Assistant (in Macrophage Biology): We wish to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated post-doctoral research fellow for the laboratory of Dr Matthias Trost. The applicant will be working in a project studying a novel cell signalling pathway in macrophages in disease-relevant models.

Our lab uses state-of-the-art proteomics, cell biology and biochemistry technologies and applies them to important biological questions. We have in the recent past published important papers for the understanding of molecular mechanisms in macrophage biology and disease models (Trost et al, 2009, Immunity; Lai et al, 2015, EMBO Journal; Guo et al, submitted). Moreover, we have developed exciting new mass spectrometry technologies that helped advance the ubiquitylation and phosphorylation fields (Ritorto et al, Nature Communications, 2014; Ritorto et al, J Proteome Res, 2013) and we have several new unpublished technologies.

Unit: Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit

Job Reference: SLSC0017
Dealine: Sunday, October 25, 2015
Salary: Grade 7 (£30,434-£37,394)

Project introduction: MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (PPU):

This project will be performed in the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU), based within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee. 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. Another 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. The MRC-PPU is in a beautiful location overlooking the estuary of the River Tay and embedded within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee which was assessed to be the top UK university in life sciences in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Requirements: Applicants should have a recent PhD in a relevant scientific discipline, such as biology, immunology, biochemistry or analytical chemistry and one first authored publication in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal. An understanding of macrophage biology, cell culture, cell signalling as well as cell biological and biochemical techniques would be an advantage. Knowledge and experience of working with mass spectrometry systems, quantitative proteomics approaches and data analysis is not essential and training in these techniques will be provided. In addition, the candidate should be able to work independently and thrive in a multi-disciplinary research environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential as is the ability to work as part of a team. The position is until March 2018 in the first instance and is available immediately. However, candidates wishing to start at any time up to March 2016 will be considered.

For informal enquiries please contact Matthias Trost (m.trost@dundee.ac.uk).

The School of Life Sciences has developed into one of the world’s leading centres of quantitative mass spectrometry with currently 22 Orbitrap mass spectrometers present in the building, while the Unit facility is equipped with eight state-of-the art-mass spectrometers, which include three Orbitraps (one Fusion, two Velos Pro), a Velos Pro ETD, a QTrap5500 and two UltrafleXtreme MALDI TOF mass spectrometers. Please consult the Unit website for further details of its research programmes (http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk).

 The postdoctoral positions will be for 2 years on the University of Dundee Grade 7 scale (£30,434-£37,394).