Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Warwick Medical School, Biomedical Sciences
Salary
£32,348 - £42,155 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
2 x Fixed-term contract for 2 years with possibility for extension until end of 2027, 1.0 FTE.
Two Wellcome-funded postdoctoral positions are available in the Straube lab to investigate how molecular motors dynein and KIF1C organise microtubule arrays and transport intracellular cargoes. The project will combine the generation of cell lines, live cell imaging (using spinning disk and lattice light sheet microscopy), in vitro reconstitution and single molecule biophysics (using TIRF imaging and optical trapping) to understand how these motors switch between their roles as cargo transporters and microtubule organisers.
The post holders will be members of the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology and Warwick Medical School benefitting from an outstanding scientific environment and access to state-of-the-art research facilities.
Informal enquiries including a CV should be sent to [email protected].
You will join the laboratory of Dr Anne Straube in the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology. The Straube lab aims to understand how microtubule arrays are organised and control the morphology of cells. In particular we use live cell imaging, force measurements, quantitative image analysis tools and in vitro reconstitution experiments to understand the function of motor proteins in organising microtubules and transporting cargo. We offer an outstanding environment for discovery science in one of the best universities in the UK.
The posts are funded by a Wellcome Investigator Award to investigate how cargo transporters organise the tracks along which they transport cargoes. You will be part of an international, well-resourced team of researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment (including access to a range of light microscopy systems including spinning disk confocal, TIRF, lattice light sheet and optical tweezers) and a vibrant scientific community with excellent internal and external seminar programmes.
You will have an excellent first degree in a relevant subject area (biochemistry, biological sciences, biophysics etc.), have or expect shortly to complete a PhD or have equivalent research experience. Experience in working on an interdisciplinary scientific project is desirable, strong scientific interest and motivation are essential.
If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure (£31,411). Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure (£32,348).
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early should a suitable candidate be found, so please don't delay in submitting your application.
Interview Date: TBC.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
The post is funded by a Wellcome Investigator Award to investigate the activation of molecular motors dynein and KIF1C. You will be one of three researchers that collaborate on this project.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Your main task will be to drive a research project studying microtubule network organisation, microtubule sliding and bundling by molecular motors. You will also be expected to also contribute to the smooth running of the lab and take part in public engagement activities.
Research and Scholarship
1. Maintain a sound research base within the department in order to assist the development of research objectives and proposals for own or joint research.
2. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects.
3. Meticulous record keeping, accurate conduct and reporting of experimental setup and data. Adherence to lab standards for archiving, analysis and reporting.
4. Write up research work for publication.
5. Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
6. May contribute to preparing proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding and contractual purposes, to support a developing research agenda.
7. Contribute to the preparation of papers for publication.
8. Communicate complex information (orally and in writing) and material of a specialist or highly technical nature.
9. Continually update own knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
Teaching and Learning Support
1. Opportunities to contribute to the teaching and learning programmes in the department.
2. Assist in the supervision of student projects and the development of student research skills.
3. May be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects.
Administration and Other Activities
1. May be required to attend departmental meetings and to participate (where necessary) in other committees and working groups within the department, the faculty and the University.
2. Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.
3. Work within budget constraints.
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but provide guidance on the main aspects of the job. The post-holder will be required to be flexible in their duties.
Person Specification
The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.
Essential Criteria 1
Very good first degree and possession of a PhD, or close to completion of a PhD in a relevant discipline. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 2
Ability to successfully contribute to a research project, which includes independent scientific thinking, conducting experimental work, analysing data, and presenting it at scientific conferences and for publication in scientific journals. (a, b, c, d)
Essential Criteria 3
A developing research profile with high-quality research outputs from all stages of training. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 4
Experience of using advanced microscopy or single molecule force spectroscopy to study cell biological processes. (a, b, c, d)
Essential Criteria 5
Interest and enthusiasm for the proposed project. (a, b, c, d)
Essential Criteria 6
Sufficient experience in at least one of these skill sets: (1) generation of genome-edited human cells, (2) development of quantitative image analysis tools (cont. below)
Essential Criteria 7
(3) single molecule FRET imaging, (4) expression and purification of recombinant proteins. (a, b, c, d)
Essential Criteria 8
Excellent potential to contribute to the development of funding proposals in order to generate external funding to support research projects. (a, b, c, d)
Essential Criteria 9
Ability to accurately and meticulously record procedures and results (both in notebooks and electronically). (a, b)
Essential Criteria 10
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team. (a, b, c, d)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience of coding in Python or Matlab. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience in studying cytoskeletal dynamics or intracellular transport. (a, c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website.
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.
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Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy
As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University's Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.
Closing Date
9 Apr 2023