Research Associate (Fixed Term)

We are looking for a talented and motivated post-doctoral scientist to join the laboratory of Dr. Richard Timms, based in the Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease (CITIID).

The Timms lab applies the latest genetic technologies to identify novel functions for human genes. Our work is focused on the ubiquitin-proteasome system, where we seek to (1) identify substrates for E3 ubiquitin ligases, (2) characterise the molecular features that enable selective substrate recognition, and (3) explore how these processes are corrupted in the context of viral infection and autoimmune disease.

We exploit a range of high-throughput genetic screening techniques to uncover novel pathways regulated by the ubiquitin system. We measure the stability of GFP-tagged proteins by performing expression screens in human cells, using either a human ORFeome library comprising ~14,000 barcoded human ORFs or custom libraries generated through microarray-based oligonucleotide synthesis, and identify the cellular machinery involved by combining these expression screens with loss-of-function CRISPR/Cas9 screens. Detailed follow-up of individual pathways of interest is achieved through a variety of standard genetic and biochemical approaches. Recent publications relevant to this position include:

Timms RT et al. (2023) Defining E3 ligase-substrate relationships through multiplex CRISPR screening. Nature Cell Biology, 25: 1535-1545.

Timms RT et al. (2019) A glycine-specific N-degron pathway mediates the quality control of protein N-myristoylation. Science, 365 (6448): eaaw4912.

Koren I, Timms RT et al. (2018) The Eukaryotic Proteome Is Shaped by E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Targeting C-Terminal Degrons. Cell, 173 (7): 1622-1635.

For more information, visit www.timmslab.com

The successful candidate will be passionate about genetics, eager to tackle difficult problems, and excited to develop novel experimental approaches to study gene function. Prior experience with mammalian cell culture, lentiviral transduction, CRISPR genome editing, flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatic data analysis (preferably in Python) would be advantageous, but an eagerness to learn and develop innovative methods is the only critical requirement as we will teach you all of the necessary skills. You will play a key role in a small team, and so a friendly and collegial attitude is crucial.

For further details or informal enquiries please contact Richard Timms via email (rtt20@cam.ac.uk)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/51372.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Interview date: To be confirmed

Advert information