Job Title: Postdoctoral
Research Assistant
School: Life Sciences
Unit: Gene Regulation and Expression
Grade: Grade 7 (£31,076 -
£38,183)
Job Category: Research
Postdoctoral
position to use eukaryotic genetics to study O-GlcNAc signalling pathways
linked to development and neurodegeneration in the laboratory of Professor Daan
van Aalten FRSE.
Applications
are invited for a postdoctoral position to work in the multidisciplinary
laboratory of Daan van Aalten to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of the
O-GlcNAc posttranslational modification in development and neurodegeneration.
This position is funded by a prestigious 5-year Investigator Award from the
Wellcome Trust. The van Aalten lab has a major interest in how O-GlcNAcylation
controls protein function. We have discovered a key role of this modification
in IL1 signalling (EMBO J. 2012) and Drosophila
development (Open Biol. 2015), as well as understanding the modifying enzymes
involved (e.g. Nat.Struct.Mol.Biol 2015) and developing potent inhibitors (e.g.
Chemistry & Biology 2010). We are now using CRISPR/Cas9 and pharmacological
approaches in eukaryotic models to study the mechanisms of how O-GlcNAc
controls patterning of the early embryo and the nervous system, including
models of neurodegeneration and recently discovered human mutations in the
O-GlcNAc processing enzymes leading to neurodevelopmental disorders. The
successful applicant will have access to state-of-the-art technologies in
biochemistry, proteomics, genome editing, cell biology, and transgenic models
to uncover new fundamental knowledge on these key molecules.
You will use recently generated novel eukaryotic lines to study the role of the
O-GlcNAc modification in a number of models of
neurodegenerative/neurodevelopmental disease. This position is available for 24
months in the first instance, with possible extension for another 3 year.
Starting date is in spring 2017.
Candidate
requirements:
Essential:
- A background in working with eukaryotic models of
neurodegeneration/metabolic disease and possessing a personal animal
license.
- PhD with an outstanding track record and at least one first authored
publication in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal.
- Capable of working in a team, but able to generate ideas, plan and work
independently.
- A desire to interact with, and learn from, scientists beyond your own
discipline/culture.
- Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English, in particular in
writing scientific publications.
Desirable:
- A background in biochemistry, molecular biology, signal transduction and or
pharmacology would be preferable.
- Familiarity with protein glycosylation and related developmental disorders.
For informal enquiries please contact Daan van Aalten
(dmfvanaalten@dundee.ac.uk). For details on the van Aalten lab please visit our
website http://www.lifesci.dundee.ac.uk/people/daan-van-aalten. The van Aalten lab is
based in the Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression and is an exciting and
collaborative research environment, equipped to the highest international
standards. The School of Life Sciences is in a beautiful location overlooking
the estuary of the River Tay. This is one of the premier Life Sciences research
centres in the world and was recently assessed as the top UK University for
Life Sciences research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF).
How to apply:
To apply on-line please visit: www.dundee.ac.uk/jobs
The University of Dundee is a diverse community and is committed to equality of
opportunity for all by providing a supportive, flexible and inclusive working
environment. We have family friendly
policies (including flexible working and childcare vouchers), staff groups for
LGBT and BME; and prayer room facilities.
The University
of Dundee has received the Athena SWAN Bronze Award (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/about/athenaswan/) which recognises the
promotion of gender equality and has made further commitment to advancing
inclusive culture which supports and encourages all under-represented groups.
The University of Dundee is a Scottish Registered Charity, No. SC015096.
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