Postdoctoral Fellow

Postdoctoral Fellow

Employer

Francis Crick Institute

Location

London (Greater) (GB)

Salary

From £43,210 with benefits, subject to skills and experience

Closing date

31 Jan 2025

Postdoctoral Fellow – Chromosome Segregation Laboratory

Reporting to: F Uhlmann

Contact term: This is a full-time, four-year position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

The Research Group

In the Chromosome Segregation Laboratory, we investigate molecular mechanisms that underpin faithful chromosome segregation during cell division. We use yeast and other eukaryotic model systems to study the contribution of structural chromosomal proteins to sister chromatid cohesion and chromosome condensation, essential processes that ensure faithful segregation of centimetre-long chromosomal DNA molecules within micrometre-sized cells. We also investigate how kinases and phosphatases of the cell cycle control network orchestrate the ordered progression through the successive stages of genome duplication and chromosome segregation. We have reached a stage where many of the key chromosome and cell cycle players have been identified, and our focus now turns to unravelling the fascinating mechanisms by which these molecular machines accomplish their tasks.

Further information about us and our research can be found at https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/frank-uhlmann. Research techniques used in the laboratory include but are not limited to molecular biology, genomics, biochemistry, structural biology, and biophysics.

The Project

The purpose of this role is to advance our molecular understanding how members of the Structural Maintenance of Chromosome (SMC) family of protein complexes, cohesin and condensin, work as small molecular machines that give chromosomes their shape. In this project, some of the specific aims include but are not limited to coming to a comparative quantitative understanding of how cohesin and condensin perform their respective functions. We are interested in exploring these SMC complexes at all levels. From studying their single molecular behaviour and their biochemical properties we aspire to gain insight into how cohesin and condensin perform their in vivo roles in chromosome architecture and function. We have recently begun to broaden the range of experimental systems that we use to investigate SMC complex function.

Postdoctoral Fellows will lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis, both within the laboratory, as well as with internal and external collaborators, and they may guide undergraduate or PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our Crick core values: Bold ; Open ; Collegial

Essential

PhD in molecular cell biology, biochemistry or biophysics, or in the final stages of PhD submission

Good knowledge of and experience in an area of chromosome biology

Technical expertise in protein purification and analysis

Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals

Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

Desirable

Experience in research with a model biological system

Experience in quantitative biochemistry and biophysics

Experience with advanced microscopic techniques

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2025.