Postdoctoral Researcher - UOD1925

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 40 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 recruiting for an exceptional individual to join us as a Postdoctoral Researcher within the Mattie Christine Pawlowic Lab, to support our research funded by a new Wellcome Trust Career Development Award. This is a fixed-term appointment for up to 4 years.

The Pawlowic lab studies Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite that causes diarrheal disease, and for which there is no vaccine and no effective treatments. In this new project, we are investigating the transmission biology of this important parasite. Specifically, we are studying how the parasite “hatches” from its microscopic shell called the oocyst. The oocyst is incredibly robust, protecting the parasite from chemical disinfection including chlorination. Understanding how the parasite emerges from its protective shell is key to understanding how the parasite is transmitted from one host to another. The oocyst is also key to chronic infection.

In this position, you will use molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetic techniques to investigate parasite biology. You will express recombinant Cryptosporidium proteins and design assays to characterise their biochemical activity. You will perform genome editing of Cryptosporidium using CRISPR/Cas9 and determine the function of different genes in the parasite life cycle. You will uncover new biology for the important parasite. You will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful collaborations.

Please note that applications made on a part-time basis for this role will not be considered.

Your priorities will include:

• Leading the biochemistry arm of our new research area
• Designing and performing gene editing of Cryptosporidium using CRISPR
• Working with Cryptosporidium parasites
• Recombinant expression of Cryptosporidium proteins
• Designing and conducting enzymatic assays

Who we’re looking for:

• Excellent communication skills and desire to work as a member of a dynamic team
• PhD in Biochemistry, Parasitology, Molecular Biology, or related field
• Experience with protein expression and designing biochemical assays
• Experience with molecular biology and working at Cat 2

The Pawlowic lab values are honesty, collaboration, trustworthiness, dedication, and enthusiasm. We are dedicated to creating a positive research culture and providing individualised mentoring and support for career development. The University also provides support for research culture and skills and career development. The lab is located in a department that benefits from close interactions with other parasitology groups. We collaborate with the Drug Discovery Unit, the Mode of Action group led by Prof Susan Wyllie, and parasitologists at Moredun Research Institute. Scotland benefits from a country-wide academic network for parasitology researchers, the Scottish Parasitology Partnership in Research, Innovation and Training or SPPIRIT (https://sppirit.net).

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.

For further information about this position please contact Dr. Mattie Christine Pawlowic at mcpawlowic@dundee.ac.uk. To find out more about the Pawlowic lab please visit the pawlowiclab.org.

Commitment to DORA

The School of Life Sciences has been fully committed to the principals of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) since 2013. In assessing applicants, we consider the scientific quality of their published research papers, but do not take into account where the papers were published and do not consider journal-based metrics, such as Journal Impact Factors.

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.