Postdoctoral Researcher

Fixed-Term Grade 7 (£37,174 - £42,882)
MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU):

The MRC PPU is one of the world’s most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation. Many world‑leading researchers in signal transduction have trained within the MRC PPU. Its major aims are to advance understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell regulation and human disease, facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation, and generate reagents and improve technologies.

A key remit is to train the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of medical research.

The MRC PPU is based within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, a world‑class academic institution with a reputation for research excellence, high‑quality teaching and student experience, and a strong impact outside academia. With 900 staff from over 60 countries, the School provides a dynamic, multi‑national, collegiate and diverse environment with state‑of‑the‑art laboratories and technology.

The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) was established in 1998. It operates as a unique collaboration between scientists in the MRC PPU, signalling researchers at the University of Dundee’s School of Life Sciences and the pharmaceutical industry. The DSTT is a model for academia‑industry interaction, bridging primary investigators working on ubiquitylation and phosphorylation with major pharmaceutical companies to accelerate early‑stage drug discovery.

We are recruiting for exceptional individuals to join as Postdoctoral Researchers in the laboratory of Professor Miratul Muqit. This is a fixed‑term appointment for 36 months.

We are recruiting one postdoctoral scientist to join the laboratory of Professor Miratul Muqit, with expertise in signalling, molecular mechanisms, cell biology, mouse neurobiology, CRISPR gene‑editing or proteomics to investigate the function of the PINK1 kinase in neurons and the brain. The overarching goal of the Muqit lab is to undertake fundamental research to understand the molecular basis of the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson’s disease (PD) through open and interdisciplinary collaborations with leading research groups worldwide.

The successful applicant(s) will undertake discovery‑driven research projects as part of a Medical Research Council Programme Grant Award that will lead to a better understanding of PD and how to diagnose and treat it. The Muqit Lab is exemplary in collaborative research to make robust discoveries and share data openly to accelerate progress.

The project(s) will investigate mechanisms of the PINK1 kinase which is frequently mutated in early‑onset PD and is a master‑regulator of mitophagy in the brain. Previous research by the Muqit lab has contributed to the development of targeted therapies for PINK1‑induced mitophagy that entered clinical trials for PD patients last year. Much of the knowledge on PINK1 comes from in vitro studies and very little is known about how the PINK1 pathway is regulated and functions in the brain.

Projects will aim to uncover entirely new understanding that may lead to novel therapeutic concepts.

The successful candidate(s) will benefit from an interdisciplinary environment in the Muqit Lab, part of the MRC PPU, and will have access to UK DRI and EMBO YIP networks. They will also have opportunities for interaction with industry partners that support the DSTT.

The Lab actively participates in public engagement and successful candidates will be encouraged to be involved in public and patient involvement.

Overall, this position offers an exciting opportunity to be involved in world‑class research projects and to build a major international reputation. The successful applicant(s) will be trained in a suite of state‑of‑the‑art techniques.

• Singh, P.K., Agarwal, S., Volpi, I., Wilhelm, L.P., Becchi, G., Keenlyside,
  
  A., Macartney, T., Toth, R., Rousseau,
  
  A., Masson, G.R., Ganley, I.G., Muqit,…