Research Fellow

Role Summary

To create new knowledge and research tools by undertaking research activities within the established research project. This project aims to discover the function of mRNA cap methylation addressing what mRNAs are methylated at synapses to identify the cap code and how sequence context and interaction with other proteins contributes to methylation. This project uses the fruit-fly Drosophila as a model organism. The project will involve using the techniques of genetics and molecular biology including generation of reporter transgenes using Crispr/Cas9 genome editing, next generation sequencing, proteomics, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, and some biochemical techniques. This project is funded by a BBSRC Grant as a collaboration between the Principal Investigator Dr Matthias Soller in the School of Biosciences, Prof. Jim Tucker in the School of Chemistry and Dr Roland Arnold in the Medical School of the University of Birmingham.

Main Duties

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

• 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 Dr Soller 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, practicals and providing guidance as required as well as assessments

Person Specification

• First degree in Biology, research experience and a PhD (or PhD near completion) in 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 Drosophila genetics, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, confocal microscopy and imaging
• 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 Matthias Soller, email: m.soller@bham.ac.uk

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