Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Molecular Mechanisms of Eukaryotic Transcription

We are seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Fellow to join our group (www.vasilievalab.com/team-4) to investigate how phosphorylation regulates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription, RNA processing and gene expression.

Our research addresses a fundamental question: how does Pol II coordinate transcription with the processing and maturation of newly synthesised RNA to ensure accurate gene expression? We are particularly interested in understanding how reversible phosphorylation of the key factors acts as a regulatory mechanism to connect these processes. The project will form part of a multidimensional research programme combining biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, functional genomics and state of the art genomic approaches.

Project involves maintaining mammalian cell culture and generating degron-tagged cell lines, using state of the art approaches for transcriptome analyses and biochemical approaches reconstitute transcription in vitro. Depending on your interests and expertise, you will have the opportunity to develop and combine complementary experimental approaches to address molecular mechanisms. You will join a collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment. The position offers considerable scope to develop your own ideas while contributing to a broader programme of research.
Recent publications from our lab:

Ho, A., et al.,(2026) WDR82 Code Coordinates Transcription and pre-mRNA 3′-End Processing Through Regulated Phosphorylation. Nature Comm doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-77611-z

Kus, K., et al. (2025) The role of DSIF factor Spt5 in coordinating Pol II processivity and Xrn2 exoribonucleolysis for timely termination of transcription. Nature Comm16(1):10. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-55063-7.

Slade, L., et al. (2026) The Integrator complex couples ncRNA biogenesis, mitochondrial function and innate immunity to control life and health span. bioRxiv,vdoi.org/10.64898/2026.04.18.719358.

Kecman, et al. (2018) Elongation to termination factors exchange mediated by PP1 phosphatase orchestrate RNA polymerase II transcription termination. Cell Reports, 25(1):259-269.

About you

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with a PhD in molecular biology or a related discipline. You may have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Pol II transcription
• Mammalian culture and genome editing
• Biochemistry (protein–RNA/protein–protein interactions and enzymatic assays)
• Functional genomics, genetics or genome-wide approaches
• Structural biology or quantitative proteomics

We particularly welcome applicants who are excited by interdisciplinary research and interested in learning new approaches. Experience in every technique is not required. What matters most is scientific curiosity, experimental creativity and the ability to tackle challenging biological questions.

About our School

Please find further information regarding the School of Life Sciences on our website.
The School of Life Sciences is proud to hold a Silver Athena Swan Award.

Why work here

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion

Further Key Information

Please contact Lidia Vasilieva L.V.Vasilieva@sussex.ac.uk for informal enquiries.

The University values and is committed to equality and valuing diversity for its staff and students, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex as well as from all backgrounds.

Eligibility

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

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