Research Fellow in Integrative Structural Biology - Institute of Cancer & Genomic Sciences

Position Details

Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,348 to £43,155 with potential progression once in post to £45,737  

Grade 7

Full Time, Fixed Term Contract for 3 years

Closing date: 30 June 2023

Background

The research group studies the functional mechanisms of proteins, nucleic acids and their complexes by integrative structural biology. The laboratory uses and develops high-field NMR spectroscopy methods as major structural biology tool, in combination with several other techniques. The Research Fellow will work in one of the following fields: RNA metabolism, regulation of gene expression, DNA repair, signalling. The post holder will use NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and/or Electron Microscopy, as well as Mass Spectrometry and Small Angle Scattering, to study the structure of protein–protein or protein–nucleic acids complexes and discover the mechanisms of their function and regulation. There are opportunities to develop new approaches to integrative structural biology with the combination of the techniques mentioned above. In addition, the Research Fellow will use molecular biology, biophysical and biochemical techniques to characterize biomolecular complexes and their activity in vitro and cellular biology approaches to verify the functional mechanisms in vivo.

We are a group of highly motivated structural biologists with an interdisciplinary, international background. We offer a first-class research environment with state-of-the-art equipment in molecular biology and biochemistry and the best equipped biomolecular NMR facility in the UK (comprising 1000, 900 and 800 MHz spectrometers equipped with cryoprobes and MAS probes for both solution- and solid-state NMR spectroscopy). Excellent EM instrumentation is available at the Midlands Regional Cryo Electron Microscope Facility in Leicester.

Summary of Role

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Design and perform experiments
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to generating funding 
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties / Responsibilities

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, in the area of interest of the hosting laboratory (Prof. T. Carlomagno)
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Acquire, analyse and interpret data - structural biology, biochemical and biophysical data.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/Institute research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation and literature reviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• PhD (or near to completion) in Biophysics/ Biochemistry/ Chemical Biology/ Structural Biology or related areas. Or, equivalent qualifications.
• Proficiency in either biomolecular NMR spectroscopy or single-particle electron microscopy, both in data acquisition and analysis.
• Practical experience in a biochemical laboratory and/or handling nucleic acids.
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
• Willingness to work in a competitive, international environment.

Informal enquires to Professor Teresa Carlomagno, email: T.Carlomagno@bham.ac.uk

Further particulars can be found here.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.