Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist - The Francis Crick Institute
Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist
Short summary
We are recruiting a motivated postdoctoral scientist to join the labs of Kinases and Brain Development https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/sila-ultanir at the Francis Crick Institute, London, UK and Mark Isalan at Imperial College London https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/m.isalan. The postdoctoral scientist will run a translational project to develop zinc finger protein transactivators for treatment of a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Ultanir’s laboratory studies the roles of protein kinases in neuronal development and function. Kinases regulate numerous cellular processes by phosphorylating their substrates. A major focus in the lab is understanding the functions of a serine/ threonine kinase called CDKL5.
The Isalan lab has long worked on a zinc finger engineering platform for gene therapy (PMID 11433278, 23054839, 27600816).
Key ResponsibilitiesIn this project, we aim to develop ZFPs which can upregulate CDKL2 mRNA expression and test if these can rescue molecular, cellular and behavioural defects in CDKL5 deficiency models. Postdoctoral researcher will generate and test zinc finger protein transactivators.
They will then use CDKL5 knockout mouse models to determine if they can restore CDKL5-mediated functions at molecular and behavioural level. iPSC derived neurons of CDD models will also be used to test rescue of phosphorylation substrates. Postdoctoral researcher will lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis and help train PhD students.
Key experience and competenciesThe post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:
Bold; Open; Collegial
Essential- PhD in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience or a related discipline or in the final stages of PhD submission
- Good knowledge of molecular biology skills
- Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in referred journals
- Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings
Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:
For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status.We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.
Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.
The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.
Read more on our website: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion