Research Fellow - Biosciences

Position Details

• School of Biosciences
• Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322, with potential progression once in post to £42,792
• Grade - 7
• Full Time - Fixed Term Contract until 31st August 2022

Background

To assist in research within an established research project in Saverio Brogna laboratory. The general aim of the project is to further the understanding of fundamental processes required for gene expression in eukaryotic cells. This project's specific objective is to study the molecular role(s) that the RNA helicase UPF1 plays in RNA processing and in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). The project will involve using Drosophila genetics and different molecular and cell biology techniques, including chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), RNa-seq and bioinformatics analysis. This project is funded by a BBSRC Project Grant to Saverio Brogna.

Summary of Role

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing papers, grants and giving presantations.
• This post is to work on the BBSRC project: Understanding the role that the RNA helicase UPF1 plays in RNA processing and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay This project follows this laboratory recent report that Crucially, our observations show that UPF1 associates with nascent pre-mRNA transcripts and that it plays genome-wide roles in nuclear RNA-based processes - including Pol II pausing, mRNA export and most strikingly transcription site retention. This job role falls within these areas of specialism: eukaryotic gene expression and RNA biology, Drosophila genetics, molecular biology, next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics.
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results resulting from the described project, using the above methods.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop research objectives, think about and engage in the intellectual aspects of the project, contributing to project direction and proposals for own or joint research, in collaboration with of Saverio Brogna in a creative and productive manner.
• Execute experiments to generate data, and analyse and interpret data for the project.
• Contribute with preliminary data and project progress to writing bids for research funding
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc. This includes contributing to writing research papers, attending conferences and presenting talks and posters, and periodic presentation of progress reports at group meetings.
• Supervise students on research-related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline. This includes teaching research techniques and providing guidance as required.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods, and troubleshooting and optimising other protocols to ensure experiments run smoothly.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research as required, e.g. contribute to writing reports, etc.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Collect research data through a variety of research methods, including scientific experimentation and keeping up with the relevant literature
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications and presentations at scientific conference meetings
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research *
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Participate in outreach activities to disseminate the findings from this project to the wider public.

Person Specification

• Degree in Biology, at least three years research experience as a PhD or PhD equivalent in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry or related discipline within the life sciences are required.
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, e.g. in spoken English, periodic preparation of Powerpoint presentations for progress reports and manuscripts.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones. Experience working with at least one of these: Drosophila genetics, RNA purification and analysis, ChIP, next-generation sequencing data analysis and RNA-seq.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes as required.

Informal enquires to Saverio Brogna (Biosciences), email: S.Brogna@bham.ac.uk

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