PostDoctoral Scientist - Protein Purification

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. The Unit is expected to relocate to the University of Cambridge during 2019.

We are looking to appoint a postdoctoral scientist specialising in protein purification and biochemical techniques to join the MicroRNA Regulation of Gene Expression Group led by Prof. Martin Bushell to work on a project to determine the mechanism by which microRNAs control gene-expression.

MicroRNAs have emerged as a major mechanism of gene regulation in metazoans, controlling the expression of approximately 60% of all protein encoding genes. These non-coding RNA molecules are ~21 nucleotides in length and exert their activity by base-pairing with specific mRNAs (normally within the 3'UTR) inhibiting gene expression at the post-transcriptional level.
Since their discovery, numerous studies have documented the fundamental roles of these small RNA molecules in virtually all aspects of life and disease. However, the mechanisms by which these molecules function to repress gene-expression has remained unclear and controversial.
The aims of this project are to resolve and understand the mechanistic heart of the miRNA-repression apparatus, to finally understand how repression is achieved.

Using a variety of biochemical approaches you will investigate the role of the helicases in miRNA-repression, the goal being to reconstitute the repressive hub and determine the role of the helicases in this process using purified proteins in biochemical kinetic assays.

The successful candidate will have been awarded (or in the final stages of obtaining) a PhD in biological sciences, have extensive protein purification experience together with experience of enzymatic assays, cloning, western blotting, qPCR and immunoprecipitation. Experience of mammalian tissue culture, in vitro RNA synthesis, helicases assays/ATP assays would be an advantage. 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.

For those who have only recently completed their doctoral studies (or who may be more experienced and moving into a new research discipline or with limited experience of key transferable skills) you will be given the choice upon appointment of undertaking the MRC Post-Doctoral Training Scheme which provides you with personal allowances of £1,000 initial settlement plus an annual training allowance of £850 increasing to £1,300 in year two, and £1,800 in the third year.