Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

The University of Sheffield, UK

Departement of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology currently seeks for a postdoctoral research associate. The post holder will investigate the transport of mRNAs to the hyphal tip of the human fungal pathogen C. albicans.

The project is a collaboration between the laboratories of Prof P.E. Sudbery and Dr S Wilson. The research will involve a combination of genomics, molecular genetics and cell biology, therefore the successful applicant must have a PhD (or equivalent) and relevant experience in one or more of these areas.

Project Details
The human fungal pathogen C. albicans can switch growth forms between yeast, pseudohyphae and hyphae, an ability that is thought to be essential for virulence. The Sheffield Candida group, headed by Prof. Peter Sudbery, have shown that polarised growth in C. albicans hyphae is driven by a Spitzenkörper (from the German “apical body”) is present at the tip. It is thought membrane-bound secretory vesicles that contain the raw materials for new hyphal growth are transported to the Spitzenkörper, where they accumulate to form a supply centre for their onward delivery to the hyphal tip.

Transport of secretory vesicles to the Spitzenkörper requires the Rab GTPase Sec4 which is activated by its membrane bound GEF Sec2. Electron micrographs of the Spitzenkörper in other fungi show that it is rich in polyribosomes indicating that proteins required for polarised growth are actively translated at the hyphal tip. However, during hyphal growth the tip is separated by a considerable distance from the nucleus, suggesting that a mechanism must exist to transport mRNAs required for translation of proteins at the tip. Preliminary experiments demonstrated that immune precipitates of Sec2 did indeed contain mRNA molecules.

The program will seek to establish the identity of these molecules by the microarray based RIP-CHIP methodology, to investigate the mechanism of transport and to assess the importance of transport of selected mRNAs by targeted mutations which specifically block their transport.

Recent publications of the Sudbery Group can be downloaded from:
http://www.psudbery.staff.shef.ac.uk/publications

Recent publications from the Wilson lab can be found at:
http://www.shef.ac.uk/mbb/staff/wilson

Report to : Professor Peter Sudberry

Main Activities and Responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experimental research in order to obtain reliable data
• Carry out research/experiments
• Analyse and record data to aid the design of future research and produce useful findings for other academics, funders, policy makers and practitioners
• Prepare papers for journals/presentations either in-house or at national/international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings
• Write supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the Research Group, e.g. reports, interim reports and grant applications. Carry out administrative roles as required, such as secretary to Research Group meetings, etc.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments

Planning and Organizing

• Plan for specific aspects of research programmes. Timescales range from 1-6 months in advance and contribute to research group planning
• If given a particular hypothesis to examine, plan for own contribution up to 3 months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Design individual experiments weekly
• Co-ordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress. Supervise research team/activities if required
• Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments
• Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences

Person Spesification (E=Essential, D=Desireable)

Applicants should demonstrate evidence of the following:

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject area (E)
• Demonstrable expertise and experience in an experimental area relevant to the project such as genomics, molecular genetics or cell biology (E)
• Experience of providing supervision to others including undergraduate students (E)
• Ability to work independently (E)

Salary : £25,889 – £26,666 per annum, pro-rata

Benefit for Staff: In addition to competitive pay and generous holiday entitlements, our staff enjoy access to:

• final salary pension scheme
• corporate Childcare Vouchers scheme
• Cycle to Work Initiative scheme: www.shef.ac.uk/ctwi/
• special staff rates for S10 Health membership: www.sheffield.ac.uk/s10/index.html
  outstanding sports and recreational facilities.

Health Assesment: Please note that due to the duties of this post, the appointee will be required to complete a satisfactory health assessment from the University Staff Occupational Health Service.

Informal enquiries: Informal enquiries may be directed to Professor Peter Sudbery (Tel. +44 (0)114 222 1686 or email: p.sudbery@sheffield.ac.uk).

How To Apply

You can apply online using this online application form

Or please send:

• your full curriculum vitae with a covering letter explaining your interest in, and suitability for, this vacancy (two copies of each)
• a completed Summary Information Form/Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

by post to:

Department of Human Resources
The University of Sheffield
Firth Court
Western Bank
SHEFFIELD S10 2TN

Or in Person to:

Department of Human Resources
The University of Sheffield
10 – 12 Brunswick Street
SHEFFIELD S10 2FN
(Reception is open Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm).

Closing Date: 7 March 2008

If you don’t use online application, Please quote refference number: R06054