Research Fellow

Closing date: 21/2/23, 5pm

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 3 years, with the possibility of extension

We have one Postdoctoral research opportunity working within the laboratory of Professor Javier F. Caceres at the MRC Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh, funded by the Medical Research Council.

The Opportunity:

Our research focuses on the role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. We are interested in understanding how alterations to the RNA processing cascade contribute to human disease.

Research objectives

We aim to investigate the role of of DExH/D RNA helicases and adaptor proteins in pre-mRNA splicing with relevance to human disease states. The activity of DEAH RNA helicases is regulated through G-patch proteins, which recruit them to functional sites and enhance their activity. Our collaborator, Malcolm Dunlop (CRUK-Scotland Centre and MRC HGU) first identified the association between Colorectal cancer (CRC) risk with genetic variation and lower expression of GPATCH1 (1). This project is focused around defining the mechanism by which RNA helicases and their molecular interaction with GPATCH adaptor proteins influence CRC risk and progression.

There is also the possibility of focusing on complementary projects on the mechanism and function of a localized Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) response that regulates the expression of transcripts translated at the Endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which we termed ER-NMD (2).

1- Fernandez-Rozadilla et al. (2022) Nat Genet, in press

2- Longman et al. (2020) Genes Dev 34: 1075-1088

For additional lab references, see: Maslon et al (2019) EMBO J 38: e101244; Haward et al. (2021) eLife 10:e65104; Hug et al. (2022) RNA 28: 1224-1238

This position is part of a multidisciplinary team working on the molecular, biochemical, and cellular aspects of RNA processing in eukaryotes. The group is part of the MRC HGU and provides opportunities to develop research project skills and develop collaborative links with colleagues within the Institute and elsewhere. The MRC Human Genetics Unit is a highly multidisciplinary environment and is part of the Institute of Genetics and Cancer (IGC)

Further details of the Research group’s work are available at:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/mrc-human-genetics-unit/research/caceres-group

Your skills and attributes for success:

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline
• Experience in Biochemistry, Cell Biology and RNA processing, in particular related to mRNA translation
• Experience in embryonic stem cell biology
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, orally and in writing
• Expertise in relevant approaches and models, analytical techniques and methods

Advert information