英国伦敦大学皇家兽医学院生物化学博士后职位

Location: Camden, North London
Salary: £31,154  per annum, inclusive of London Weighting
Closing Date: Saturday 17 May 2014
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: CBS-0046-14

This is a fixed term contract for 18 months.

A postdoctoral research associate with expertise and interest in mitochondrial cell biology and pharmacology is needed to study the functional role of the mitochondrial Translocator Protein (TSPO) in the context of brain cells signalling and quality control. This is part of on-going collaborative work with Prof. Federico Turkheimer, Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and will see a large use of live cells imaging methodologies complemented by standard techniques of biochemistry and molecular biology. The team leader will guarantee training in the experimental hallmarks of the laboratory.

The successful applicant will join a team of competent researchers and work in state of the art laboratories benefiting of generous access to instrumentations of the highest quality and assisted by professional technical support. The research team contributes a larger unit focused on the Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Diseases composed PostDocs, PhD students and Research Assistants who will guarantee the critical mass to exchange ideas, overcome pitfalls of the experimental routine and refine protocols. Nonetheless, the team is also part of the UCL Consortium for Mitochondrial Research (CfMR): an ideal setting to discuss findings, gain advices and guidance on matters relevant for the project. All this renders the offered position the perfect opportunity for a qualified PhD who wants to contribute to the field, rise in scientific profile via cutting edge discoveries and be part of an ambitious long-term research programme.

The post is full time and the successful applicant will be responsible to run the experimental program outlined in the awarded grant, analyse data and prepare these for the circulation in high-impacted research journal. He/She will also assist with the supervision of Postgraduate and Undergraduate students, attend and present regularly at the weekly laboratory meeting besides assist in the PI in ensuring smooth and ordered unfolding of the experimental routine of the research group. The research focus for this project is the identification of the TSPO role in mitochondrial function, cellular signalling, and processes devoted to the preservation of cellular quality in neuronal cells. This will be exploited by addressing mitochondrial autophagy, Ca2+ signalling, ATP homeostasis, Reactive Oxygen Species generation to be assessed by cutting edge techniques of luminescence and imaging complemented with experiments of Western Blotting, Immunohistochemistry, Knock-in Konck-out techniques.

Your profile Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field of research such Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or Molecular Biology and prevalently possess knowledge in at least one of the following methods: tissue culturing, live cells imaging, Ca2+ signalling, genes transduction, autophagy signalling, cell death assays, immunoblotting, proteins profiling and molecular biology. A can do attitude will be determinant to cover the various tasks requested in the job as well as motivation will be key to succeed.