UK-Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molecular Cell Biology

The University of Sheffield, UK

Academic Unit of Cell Biology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, open a Postdoctoral positions. The project within the Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology is in collaboration with the Vascular Science Section at Imperial College and funded by the British Heart Foundation, and will involve characterisation of a recently identified inflammatory regulator and focus on signaling crosstalk in vascular disease.

Applicants should have an honors degree (or equivalent experience) and hold a PhD in Molecular or Cell Biology. The position is available from 1 April 2008 for 36 months. The position will be in the Academic Unit of Cell Biology in the Section of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, with 20 faculty members and 73 Students.

The Section successfully combines molecular biologists, microbiologists, mathematical genetesists, and immunologists in a multidisciplinary environment. Facilities include, in house automated DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, protein expression and purification labs, tissue culture, bacterial fermentation, robotics screening facility for human libraries and confocal microscopy. Cell Biology is one of seven Academic Units within the section, and focuses on immune and inflammatory receptor function and signal transduction.

Main Activities and Responsibilities

The project involves analysis of the role of a novel inflammatory regulator in vascular disease, specifically related to its involvement in signaling co-ordination and crosstalk through Toll-like/IL-1 receptor (TIR) activation in the presence of biomechanical responses. Techniques will include molecular biological, biochemical and cell biological approaches, such as DNA manipulation, transfection, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, microarray technology and confocal microscopy.

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for experimental work related to the project, including development and revisions of protocols as required, as well as data analysis and presentation.

The post-doctoral research associate will report to Professor Eva Qwarnstrom, Head of Unit and Dr. Endre Kiss-Toth co-supervisor.

Person Spesification (E=Essential, D=Desireable)

Applicants should demonstrate evidence of the following:

Qualifications

• Applicants should have an Honors degree and hold a PhD in Molecular or Cell Biology (or equivalent experience) (E).
• Expertise in the areas of signal transduction and gene regulation, specifically related to inflammatory control will be an advantage, – as will experience in confocal microscopy and GFP-based methods (D).

Communication skills: Experience in written and verbal presentation (E).

Team working: The candidate should be able to work as part of a team (E).

Problem solving/decision making: Problem solving in regards to all aspects related to the project will be expected. This will include longer and shorter term planning as well technical and analytical trouble shooting, and will involve working with other team members and Principal Investigators (E).

Personal effectiveness: Maintain productivity and progress on project (E).

Salary : £28,289 – £30,012 per annum

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 Prof. Eva E. Qwarnstrom (Tel (0114) 271-3181, 271-205 e-mail E.Qwarnstrom@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: 4th February 2008

If you don’t use online application, Please quote refference number: R05873