Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Researcher Overview

Company Name	University of Leeds
Job Role	Postdoctoral Researcher
Qualifications	Not specified
Category	R
Job Type	Full Time
Location	Leeds, United Kingdom

Research Fellow in Structural Biology (cryoEM), Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences FBSMB1323

https://jobs.leeds.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=FBSMB1323

Salary: Grade 7 (£41,064-£48,822)

Reference: FBSBM1323

Available on a fixed-term basis for 18 months (to complete specific time limited work)

This role will be based on the university campus Research Fellow in Structural Biology (cryoEM) Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

Research Fellow in Structural Biology (cryoEM) Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge?

Do you have an established background in cryoEM and want to help to develop new routes to combat amyloid diseases?

Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research intensive Universities?

We are looking for an outstanding research fellow to join our interdisciplinary team that is investigating how proteins aggregate into amyloid fibrils, and how fibrils with different structure perturb cellular function. This BIRAX-funded role is to use cryoEM, supported with other biochemical and biophysical analyses, to understand the structure of amyloid fibrils formed in vitro and purified from patient samples and to determine the activity of different fibril types in causing neuronal dysfunction. This will help to reveal the mechanisms by which disease relevant mutations and post-translational modifications effect changes in amyloid aggregate formation and the consequences of aggregation on cellular function.

You will be based in the laboratories of Professors Sheena Radford and Neil Ranson, and work closely with other members of our amyloid team. The work will be carried out in collaboration with Professor Raz Jelinek (Ben Gurion University) who has recently shown an activity of amyloid fibrils in the degradation of neurotransmitters.

You should have a PhD (or be close to completing one) in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline, and extensive experience of using cryoEM to solve questions about protein structure, assembly and biological mechanisms.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Designing, planning and conducting a programme of investigation, in consultation with Professor Sheena Radford and Professor Neil Ranson
• Generating independent and original research ideas and methods in cryoEM to investigate the structure of amyloid fibrils formed in vitro and purified from patient samples, and biochemical methods to determine the ability of different fibril types to bind small molecules and/or catalyse degradation of neurotransmitters. Using cryoEM and other biophysical methods you will also map the binding site on fibrils for small molecules with the goal of developing a new molecular understanding of the effect of fibrils on cellular homeostats in health and disease;
• Making a significant contribution to the dissemination of research results by publication in leading peer-reviewed journals, and by presentation at national and international meetings;
• Working independently and as part of a larger team of researchers, both internally and externally, to develop new research links and collaborations and engage in knowledge transfer activities where appropriate;
• Contributing to the supervision of junior researchers and PhD students and acting as a mentor to less experienced colleagues;
• Evaluating methods and techniques used and results obtained by other researchers and relating such evaluations to your own research;
• To contribute to, and to encourage, a safe working environment.

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list.

Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

Qualifications and skills

Essential

• A PhD (or close to completion) in structural biology, biochemistry or a closely allied discipline;
• Substantial experience in using cryo-electron microscopy to solve structures of protein assemblies;
• Experience in protein sample preparation for different biophysical techniques;
• Good data management, analytical and computer skills together with previous experience of using software for analysing data;
• The desire and drive to learn new skills and techniques with imagination, creativity and ambition to drive new areas of science;
• The ability to design, execute and write up research independently;
• A developing track record of peer reviewed publications in international journals;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to communicate your research at national and international conferences;
• Good time management and planning skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines;
• A proven ability to work well both independently and as part of a team;
• A strong commitment to your own continuous professional development

Desirable

• Experience of working in the fields of protein assembly, protein-protein interactions or protein aggregation and amyloidosis;
• Experience in working with human tissue;
• Experience in computational analysis of complex 3D data;
• Evidence of pursuing external funding to support research.

How to apply

You must apply for this role online; more guidance can be found on our How to Apply information page.

Applications should be submitted by 23.59 (UK time) on the advertised closing date.

Contact information

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Sheena Radford, Astbury Professor of Biophysics Tel: +44 (0)113 343 3170 Email: [email protected]

Professor Neil A Ranson, Professor of Structural Molecular Biology Tel: +44 (0)113 343 7065 Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Find out more about the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology

For information about our facilities available and the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology.

To see our recent publications and our Research Team Working at Leeds Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Leeds area on our Working at Leeds information page. Candidates with disabilities Information for candidates with disabilities, impairments or health conditions, including requesting alternative formats, can be found on our Accessibility information page or by getting in touch with us at [email protected]. information page or by getting in touch by emailing HR via [email protected]. Criminal Record Information Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 A criminal record check is not required for this position. However, all applicants will be required to declare if they have any ‘unspent’ criminal offences, including those pending. Any offer of appointment will be in accordance with our Criminal Records policy. You can find out more about required checks and declarations in our Criminal Records information page. Salary Requirements of the Skilled Worker Visa Route If you are not a British or Irish citizen, you will require permission to work in the UK. This will normally be in the form of a visa but, if you are an EEA/Swiss citizen, this may be your status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information, please visit the Government’s Skilled Worker visa page. For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit the Government’s page, Apply for the Global Talent visa.

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