英国朴茨茅斯大学招聘分子生物学方向博士后

School of Biological Sciences

Research Fellow

Employment type: Fixed term contract for 4 years

Employment basis: Full time

Salary: £32,590 – £35,597

Position number: 10011860

Closing date: 3 July 2014

Interview date: 14 July 2014

We are seeking to recruit a talented postdoctoral scientist with experience in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, biophysics and/or X-ray crystallography to join our project team. The project will study the genes, enzymes and mechanisms of lignocellulose digestion found in marine wood borers, with the aim of identifying novel enzymes for the biofuels industry. The project builds on our successful contribution to the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre.

The University of Portsmouth team will consist of Dr Simon Cragg, a specialist in wood digestion by marine invertebrates, Dr John McGeehan a structural biologist, the Fellow, a specialist research technician(to be appointed) and three PhD students (two to be appointed). The Fellow will participate in the local management of the project and interact closely with our project partners at the University of York and Cambridge University.

The Fellow’s practical programme will be conducted in the state-of-the-art Biophysical laboratories at the University of Portsmouth and in the specialist aquarium/lab complex at the Institute of Marine Sciences, Portsmouth. In-house techniques available include X-ray crystallography (crystallisation robot and diffractometer), electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), analytical ultracentrifugation, light scattering (DLS, SEC-MALLS), surface plasmon resonance and calorimetry (ITC and DSC). It is envisaged that the Fellow would spend some time in laboratories of our collaborators and at National research facilities (Diamond Light Source UK and NREL, USA) with whom we are already working.

The main laboratory tasks are to carry out protein expression and purification, biophysical and structural characterization of a range of marine cellulases. Experience in synchrotron X-ray data collection and analysis would be an advantage. The Fellow will be expected to generate data sets for our project, to lead the drafting of joint manuscripts and to present our findings at workshops and conferences. We aim to publish in high impact and specialist journals. Key recent publications include:

Kern et al. (2013) Structural characterization of a unique marine animal family 7 cellobiohydrolase suggests a mechanism of cellulase salt tolerance. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 110: 10189-10194.

King et al. (2010) Molecular insight into lignocellulose digestion by a marine isopod in the absence of gut microbes. Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. 107: 5345-5350.

All applications for this position will be processed and conducted in compliance with UK legislation relevant at that time….