Postdoctoral Scientist – IRC198354
Fixed Term for 2 Years
Salary from £28,648 - £29,567 per annum
The Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, located at the University of Leicester, is an internationally renowned institution delivering field-changing mechanistic insights into toxicology and disease. The Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and offers excellent opportunities for postdoctoral development.
We are looking to appoint a postdoctoral scientist to join the Post-transcriptional Control of Gene Expression group, led by Prof. Anne Willis to work on projects investigating the role of RNA-binding proteins in the cellular response to chemotoxic exposure. For more information see
http://tox.mrc.ac.uk/research/willis-group/In response to toxic insult initiated by a wide range of agents, including chemotoxic drugs such as doxorubicin and cisplatin, cells activate a range of strategies aimed at restoring homeostasis, repairing the damage inflicted or initiating cell death. Stress can initiate changes to transcription, mRNA processing, and reprogramming of the translational machinery. RNA binding proteins (RNA-BPs) are essential for the coordination and integration of these gene expression programs. Using the recently developed technique, RNA-interactome capture1, we have identified a large group of RNA binding proteins that participate in the cellular response to stress. This research will focus on understanding and providing mechanistic insight into how these RNA-BPs contribute to both the stress response and gene expression following exposure to chemotoxic drugs. This project represents an ideal opportunity to learn a range of state-of-the-art techniques relevant to gene expression control and the data will have implications for improving the treatment of cancers.
The successful candidate will have been awarded (or in the final stages of obtaining) a PhD in a relevant discipline. Extensive experience of protein and RNA techniques, excellent molecular biology skills and significant knowledge of gene expression is essential. Applicants will be committed to working at a highly competitive level, able to communicate scientific ideas effectively and have published (or about to publish) in a peer-reviewed journal.
Closing date for applications: 16 October 2015
Applications are handled by the RCUK Shared Services Centre;to apply please visit our job board at
http://topcareer.jobs/Vacancy/irc198354_5680.aspx please upload your CV, covering letter and publication record (saving the documents with reference IRC198354 included in the filename). Applicants who would like to receive this advert in an alternative format (e.g. large print, Braille, audio or hard copy), or who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on 01793 867003. Please quote the reference number IRC198354.
The MRC is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Final appointments will be subject to pre-employment screening.
