Research Associate - Health and Medical

The role

You will be employed on a BBSRC-funded project entitled ' Understanding the roles of SUMO proteases in neuronal function and viability '. You will join an active and vibrant research group comprising the PI, a lab manager, post-docs and PhD students (currently 12 people) working in the area of molecular and cellular neuroscience. This project involves investigating the mechanisms of action and roles of SUMO, SENPs and target proteins in neurons. One major focus will be on mitochondrial import and dynamics. We have a wealth of published and initial data demonstrating that SUMOylation plays key roles in mitochondrial fission, fusion and function. This post will investigate the potential impact on SUMOylation and deSUMOylation on mitochondrial protein import in neurons and consequent changes in mitochondrial and neuronal morphology and viability. However, the individual pathways specific proteins and biochemical pathways regulated by mitochondrial SUMOylation have not yet been fully investigated.

What will you be doing?

Using the tools and protocols detailed in recent publications you will carry out novel, cutting-edge cell biological, imaging and functional assays of neuronal mitochondria to define the mechanisms and consequences of SUMOylation and deSUMOylation. By examining rat primary neuronal cultures you will determine how SUMO-deficient mutants of key outer mitochondrial membrane proteins affects protein import into mitochondrial and the downstream consequences on synaptic, dendritic spine and whole neuronal cell morphology, signalling and plasticity. These different approaches will provide insights that will advance understanding of the regulation and roles of mitochondrial SUMOylation in the brain.

You will have primary responsibility for performing and analysing directly targeted experiments. We expect that the appointed PDRA will make major practical and intellectual contributions to the project. You will be motivated and heavily invested in the proposed research with directly relevant, biochemical, imaging, and electrophysiological expertise. You will have regular meetings with the PI but will enjoy a large degree of independence in the specific experimental design and direction of the research. You will establish working relationships with the applicants and their lab members.

You should apply if Qualifications and attributes

• Submission (or very close to submission) of PhD in a directly relevant subject
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to plan and organise
• Ability to be focused and work to timelines
• Ambition to drive the research forward.

Experience, Skills and Knowledge

· Extensive experience/knowledge of mitochondrial biology, including mitochondrial isolation and functional analyses.

· Previous laboratory experience in relevant molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology and especially mitochondrial techniques. These include cloning, virus preparation, protein purification, biotinylation, immunoprecipitation, SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, confocal imaging, and mitochondrial import assays.

· Experience in animal handling and performing schedule 1 procedures in rodents

· Extensive experience in clonal cell line and primary neuronal cell culture techniques.

· Experience in confocal fixed and live cell imaging in cultured neurons

· Proven track record of 'hands-on' high quality research

· Flexibility and the ability to multi-task and learn new methods rapidly

For informal enquiries please contact Jeremy Henley via email: j.m.henley@bristol.ac.uk

We seek to attract, develop, and retain individuals from the widest possible talent pool and the broadest possible range of backgrounds. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We particularly welcome applications from Black African, Black Caribbean and other minority ethnic groups, as they are currently under-represented across our university.

Available documents

• BIOC Further Particulars.pdf
• ACAD106360 Research Associate JD.pdf

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.