PhD position in Cell Biology of Vertebrate Neurogenesis at the University of Manchester

Applications are invited from highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals for an MRC funded PhD position in the laboratory of Dr. Raman Das at the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester. This position will commence in September 2018.

The successful candidate will have or expect to obtain a first or upper-second class degree (or equivalent) in the biological sciences and will additionally have a strong interest in cell and developmental biology and in vivo imaging.

This exciting project builds on our recent discovery of a new form of cell sub-division (apical abscission) that regulates shedding of the apical tips of newborn neurons, leading to an acute loss of cell polarity and retention of the centrosome (Das and Storey, Science, 2014). How these neurons re-establish their polarity and subsequently extend an axon in the correct orientation is now a key question in the field. This project will focus on the role of the retained centrosome in re-establishment of polarity in the new-born neuron using a highly interdisciplinary approach integrating pioneering cell and developmental biology techniques. The successful candidate will utilise cutting-edge live-tissue imaging techniques to visualise centrosomal dynamics and microtubule architecture rearrangements during neuronal differentiation in the embryonic spinal cord. This approach will be complemented by super-resolution microscopy to visualise the fine sub-cellular architecture of differentiating neurons.

Overall this project lies at the critical interface between cell and developmental biology and is therefore likely to provide physiologically relevant insights into the molecular mechanisms leading to neuron polarisation and axon extension.

Further details and information on how to apply are available here

Further information about the University of Manchester MRC DTP programme is available here

Deadline for applications: 17th of November 2017

Applications from EU citizens are welcome

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Dr. Raman Das at raman.das@manchester.ac.uk.

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