Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields


Research Fellow in Membrane Protein Structural Biology, University of Leeds


University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
Application deadline: 14 Jul 2019


Applications are invited to conduct collaborative research investigating the structure and function of mechanosensitive ion channels. These systems form pores in the cell membrane and allow the passage of molecules in response to membrane tension.

A multi-disciplinary approach combining molecular/chemical (cloning, recombinant expression and purification), structural (CryoEM and PELDOR/DEER spectroscopy), functional (Electrophysiology) and computational (MD simulations) methods will be employed to investigate gating of these systems and characterise their unique states. CryoEM facilities in the Astbury Centre at University of Leeds are state-of-the-art, including 2 x Titan Krios 300keV electron microscopes. The project will also involve trips to the St Andrews and Manchester EPR facilities for PELDOR/DEER experiments.

A position is available for a highly motivated and talented individual interested in undertaking a challenging and exciting 3 year BBSRC-funded post in the laboratory of Dr Christos Pliotas. The project aims at obtaining and solving novel CryoEM structures of mechanosensitive ion channels in distinct conformational states. Dynamics will be interrogated by PELDOR/DEER and MD within lipid/native environment and function will be assessed by single molecule electrophysiology.

You should have a PhD (or close to completion) in Molecular/Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics or a closely allied discipline; with significant experience in expression, purification and structural biology of membrane proteins and ion channels.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Leeds, United Kingdom

Research Fellow in Membrane Protein Structural Biology, University of Leeds