Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Contract: Fixed-Term for up to 3 years

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 900 staff from over 60 countries worldwide the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated PDRA with expertise in mass spectrometrybased proteomics to work in the research laboratory of Professor Angus Lamond. The successful applicant will join a collaborative project between the Lamond group in Dundee and Dr Kerrin Small (KCL), which will characterise protein expression in human adipose tissue from 1,000 twins. The project aims to perform QTL mapping on the resulting quantitative peptide, phospho-peptide and protein expression data and to integrate these data with other omics and clinical data from the TwinsUK cohort.

The post offers a unique opportunity to participate in establishing the first deep, unbiased description of the human adipose proteome, linking information on protein isoform expression and post translational modifications, with previously generated adipose transcriptomes and deep clinical phenotypes generated from the TwinsUK cohort. The post offers the opportunity to work with state of the art MS instrumentation, including the newly installed Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Astral Mass Spectrometer.

The position is available for a period of 36 months, supported by an MRC Project Grant, “Deciphering the role of adipose tissue in common metabolic disease via adipose tissue proteomics”.

Your priorities will include: Working within the Lamond Laboratory:

• Optimise methods for sample preparation from human adipose tissue
• Optimise MS workflow for peptide and phosphopeptide analysis using the Orbitrap Astral
• Analyse at least 1,000 samples of adipose tissue from the Twins UK cohort
• Perform computational analysis to quantify and interpret resulting MS data
• Work collaboratively with other members of the Lamond and Small laboratories.

Who we’re looking for:

• Ph.D in relevant science discipline with prior training in quantitative MS-based proteomics.
• Experience with sample preparation workflows for proteomic analysis and operation of orbitrap MS instruments, including phosphopeptide analysis workflows.
• Excellent technical abilities, particularly in relation to trouble-shooting and optimising sample preparation and MS analysis pipelines for quantitative proteomics analyses. Ability to produce high quality scientific reports and communicate clearly and efficiently.
• A strong theoretical and practical understanding of protein biochemistry and mass spectrometry.

We are one of the UK’s leading universities, internationally recognised for our expertise across a range of disciplines and research breakthroughs in multiple areas, including science, medicine, and engineering, amongst many others. Our purpose is to transform lives, locally and globally, which we do as a community of staff (Professional Services and Academic Schools), students and alumni. Professional Services directorates are key to delivering the University strategy and driving change across the University.

The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning. Family friendly policies, staff networks for BME, Disabled and LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN, the ECU Race Equality Charter and Stonewall as well a full range of disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work.

For informal enquiries please contact Prof Angus Lamond (a.i.lamond@dundee.ac.uk)

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