Postdoctoral Research Assistant - MRC PPU - UOD1989

Contract type: Fixed-Term

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU):

The MRC PPU is mol of the world’s most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation (www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk). Many world-leading researchers in the field of signal transduction have trained within the MRC PPU. The major aims of the MRC PPU are to advance understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation, to generate reagents and improve technologies. A key remit of the MRC PPU is to train the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of medical research.

We are recruiting one exceptional individual to join as Postdoctoral Researchers in the laboratory of Prof Miratul Muqit. This is a fixed-term appointment for 36 months.

The successful applicant(s) will undertake discovery-driven research projects as part of a Medical Research Council Programme Grant Award that will lead to better understanding of PD and how to diagnose and treat it. The Muqit Lab is exemplar in collaborative research to make robust discoveries and share data openly in the field to accelerate progress.

The project(s) will investigate mechanisms of the PINK1 kinase which is frequently mutated in early-onset PD and is a master-regulator of mitophagy in brain. Previous research by the Muqit lab has contributed to the development of targeted therapies for PINK1-induced mitophagy which entered clinical trials for PD patients last year. However, much knowledge on PINK1 has been obtained from in vitro studies and very little is known on how the PINK1 pathway is regulated and functions in the brain and projects will be aimed at uncovering entirely new understanding of PINK1 function that may lead to new concepts for therapeutic exploitation in PD.

Overall, this position provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in world-class research projects and for the successful applicant to carve themselves a major international reputation. The successful candidate(s) will have an opportunity to be trained in a suite of state-of-the-art techniques during the project.

Relevant publications:

• Singh, P.K., Agarwal, S., Volpi, I., Wilhelm, L.P., Becchi, G., Keenlyside, A., Macartney, T., Toth, R., Rousseau, A., Masson, G.R., Ganley, I.G., Muqit, M.M. (2025) Kinome screening identifies integrated stress response kinase EIF2AK1 / HRI as a negative regulator of PINK1 mitophagy signalling. Science Adv 11: eadn2528.

• Bagnoli, E., Lin Y-E., Burel, S., Jaimon, E., Antico, O., Themistokleous C., Nikoloff, J.M., Morella, I., Watzlawik J.O., Fiesel, F.C., Springer, W., Tonelli, F., Brooks, S.P., Sunnett, S.B., Brambilla, R., Alessi, D.R., Pfeffer, S.R., Muqit, M.M. (2025) Endogenous LRRK2 and PINK1 function in a convergent neuroprotective ciliogenesis

Your priorities will include:

• Molecular based mechanistic research studies
• Design and performing CRSIPR/Cas9 knock-down screen
• Proteomic discovery platform
• PPE presentations.
• Dissemination of research
• Maintenance of lab records

What we are looking for:

• PhD in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Proteomics, Mouse Neuroscience, or related discipline
• Experience in biochemistry, cell biology, proteomics
• Highly organised, able to work independently and excellent communication skills

For further information about this position please contact Prof Miratul Muqit at m.muqit@dundee.ac.uk. To find out more about MRC PPU please visit www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk

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