SCIENCE-JOBS-DE
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW in Biochemistry/Molecular machines (London, UK)
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the laboratory of Professor Christian Speck in the Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine at the Hammersmith Campus of Imperial
College London (http://www.specklab.com/).
This is a full-time, three-year position (HM2017034) with a salary range of : £36,070 to £40,030 per annum.
This is an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly creative scientist to join a dynamic research team with excellent collaborators and facilities. The successful applicant
will use cutting-edge biochemical approaches to investigate fundamental biological mechanisms in eukaryotic DNA replication with therapeutic potential.
The project will address how key DNA replication factors function and how they are regulated, which is crucial to understand how cancer development is initiated and will serve as a stepping-stone for the development of novel replication inhibitors with potential as chemotherapeutic drugs. The successful candidate will take advantage of efficient and well-
established reconstituted systems and in vivo approaches (Evrin et al PNAS 2009, Fernandez-Cid et al Mol Cell 2013, Sun et al NSMB 2013, Samel et al G&D 2014, Sun et al G&D 2014 and Chang et al 2015 Elife) to address how the replicative helicase becomes loaded onto DNA. A recent high resolution structure of the replicative helicase in complex with its loader (Yuan et al NSMB 2017) has provided key insights into this process. This project will take advantage of this knowledge to
reveal the fundamental mechanism of helicase loading. The research will involve design of constructs, expression and purification of proteins & protein complexes using bacteria and
yeast. The purified factors will be used for the development of novel biochemical assays, structural analysis in collaboration with other group members and analysis of protein dynamics by
FRET assays. The applicant will be working as part of a team, and will have ample opportunity to drive the project’s direction in a creative way.
The successful candidate will enjoy intensive interactions with group members specialised in cryo-EM, biochemistry or in vivo approaches generating a collaborative and highly productive
atmosphere, with substantial opportunities for advanced training. The lab is very well equipped for biochemistry and structural EM work and has direct access to a local cryo-EM
facility and the Titan Krios as founding member of the LonCEN consortium.
By joining the group, the candidate will not only participate in high profile research projects, but will be also directly mentored by Professor Speck in grant writing, networking and publishing. This will prepare the post holder ideally for the next career move.
The candidate should have a PhD in Biochemistry or neighbouring disciplines, a strong publication record and extensive expertise in protein biochemistry. A background in the areas of molecular
machines, chromatin biology, yeast genetics, structure determination & modelling, DNA replication, cell cycle, DNA repair, and the broader area of genome stability would be of
advantage, but is not necessary.
Apply online via our website at http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment (select “Job Search” then
enter the job title or vacancy reference number into “Keywords”). Please complete and upload an application form as directed quoting the appropriate reference number (HM2017034).
Alternatively, if you are unable to apply online, please email Katie.Poole@imperial.ac.uk to request an application form.
Closing Date: 4th of April 2017 (Midnight)
Christian Speck
chris.speck@imperial.ac.uk
Imperial College London
London, UK