Two Postdoctoral Positions at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge
Posted by Ian McGough, on 21 July 2021
Job type: Postdoc
Location: Babraham, Cambridge, UK
Closing Date: 8 August 2021
| We are seeking two motivated and enthusiastic developmental/cell biologists to join our group in the Signalling division at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge. The overarching goal of our lab is to elucidate how morphogen signalling pathways, Wnt and Hedgehog in particular, function at the molecular level and how these signalling pathways change during, and contribute to, ageing. To answer these questions, the lab uses a multidisciplinary approach involving protein and molecular biology, cell culture, and Drosophila and mouse genetics.
Position 1: Wnt and Hedgehog are secreted signalling molecules that play a crucial role during development. In addition, by regulating stem cell maintenance and differentiation, they maintain normal cell behaviour and tissue renewal in many adult tissues. Consequently, altered morphogen signalling has been implicated in a loss of tissue renewal and associated ageing. A puzzling conundrum is that both Wnt and Hedgehog carry hydrophobic lipid moieties that are required for their signalling activity but that also hinder their solubility and diffusion. Recent work has revealed a role for glypican proteins in binding the lipid moiety of Wnt proteins to regulate their diffusion and signalling activity. The successful candidate will build upon this work to investigate the role of lipid binding glypicans in modulating Hedgehog signalling and determine what role glypicans play in regulating these lipidated signalling molecules in stem cell niches. Further information about this position and the application portal can be found at https://babrahaminstitute.livevacancies.co.uk/#/job/details/217?target=frame
Position 2: An age associated dysfunction of both Wnt and Hedgehog signalling has been implicated in the perturbation of stem cell dynamics, leading to a loss of tissue homeostasis and renewal, which are hallmarks of ageing. By elucidating precisely how these signalling pathways change with age the knowledge can be leveraged to combat the dysfunction of signalling that occurs in, and potentially drives, ageing and age related diseases. The postholder will use the intestinal stem cell niche of Drosophila melanogaster as a model system to investigate how the signalling landscape of stem cell niches change with age and how other key signalling pathways implicated in the ageing process, such as mTOR and insulin, integrate with Wnt and Hedgehog signalling. Further information about this position and the application portal can be found at https://babrahaminstitute.livevacancies.co.uk/#/job/details/216?target=frame
Candidates must have a PhD in biochemistry, cell/molecular biology or developmental biology, with a demonstrable track-record in academic research. Experience in basic molecular biology techniques (e.g., cloning, RNAi/CRISPR), protein biochemistry and cell culture is essential. For position 1 experience with mouse models, organoid and ES cell culture would be highly desirable. While for position 2 experience with Drosophila melanogaster (in particular the intestine), RNA sequencing and proteomic methodologies is desirable.
Both positions are for 3 years in the first instance but funding is available for possible extensions beyond the initial 3-year period.
Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Ian McGough (Ian.McGough@babraham.ac.uk).
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Salary: £32,200 to £36,500 per annum (depending on experience)
Closing Date: 8 August 2021
Scientific fields: Cell biology, Homeostasis and aging, Signalling, Stem cells
Model systems: Drosophila, Cell culture, Mouse, Organoid
Duration: Fixed term
Minimum qualifications: PhD