Postdoctoral Researcher – Mass Spectrometry & LRRK2 Signalling in Parkinson's Disease

Contract type: Fixed-Term (1 year) / Full-time

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU)

The MRC PPU is one of the world's leading centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, training many world-leading scientists in signal transduction and working to translate this understanding into new therapeutics.

Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS)

The MRC PPU sits within the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, a world-class institution with 900 staff from over 60 countries and state-of-the-art facilities.

Michael J Fox Foundation-LRRK2 Investigative Therapeutic Exchange (MJFF LITE) Initiative

This post contributes to a major Parkinson's disease programme sponsored by the MJFF and led by Dundee, uniting academic, clinical and industry partners to understand LRRK2 biology and identify biomarkers to guide future clinical trials.

Position

We seek an exceptional mass spectrometry researcher to join Dario Alessi's laboratory in the MRC PPU for a 1-year fixed-term post, running and analysing experiments defining LRRK2's role in Parkinson's disease. LRRK2 mutations are among the most common genetic causes of the disease, and LRRK2 inhibitors are now in clinical development. You will use quantitative proteomics to define how mutations and inhibitors alter Rab GTPase phosphorylation and lysosomal signalling, and to identify biomarkers of pathway activity in cell and patient-derived samples. This is far more than a traditional postdoc: you will own the LRRK2 mass spectrometry workstream, with real freedom to develop new methods and build an international profile, within a programme built around a major collaboration with Stanford University.

Platform and environment

You will have access to Orbitrap Astral, Exploris 480, Lumos and timsTOF SCP instruments with automated sample preparation, enabling ultra-sensitive proteomics from organelles, rare cell populations and patient samples.

What you'll do

• Run and analyse MS experiments on LRRK2 mutations, inhibitors and lysosomal signalling
• Develop organelle proteomics workflows, including Lyso-IP
• Generate proteomic, phosphoproteomic and ubiquitylomic datasets from cells, mouse models and patient samples
• Establish MS-based biomarkers for target engagement and clinical studies
• Analyse datasets in Python/R; publish and mentor students

What we offer

• Ownership of the LRRK2 workstream within a major international programme
• Collaboration with Stanford University and the global LITE network
• Advanced training in quantitative proteomics and computational biology
• Relocation support and eligibility for LITE Care & Career family-support

Who we're looking for

• A PhD (awarded or near completion) in a relevant discipline, with a strong publication record
• Expertise in two or more of: quantitative MS/computational proteomics; biochemistry/signal transduction; Orbitrap/timsTOF instrumentation; Python/R analysis
• Desirable: biomarker/clinical sample experience; interest in LRRK2 biology and neurodegeneration

Contact

Dario Alessi (d.r.alessi@dundee.ac.uk) or Francesca Tonelli (f.tonelli@dundee.ac.uk). More at ppu.mrc.ac.uk

DORA and diversity

The Faculty has been committed to DORA since 2013, assessing applicants on the quality of their work rather than journal metrics, and is proud of its diverse, inclusive community.

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