Interested in joining us?
Postdoctoral researchers:
Following
recent successes of group members in obtaining faculty positions, we
invite applications from final year graduate students and postdoctoral
researchers. Applicants should have a PhD and at least one first author
paper in a good international journal (or expect to obtain these in the
immediate future). We would also consider applications from researchers without a PhD but with substantial relevant expertise.
We are particularly interested in recruiting new researchers to work on:
1) The links between non-coding RNA transcripts and chromatin structure.
Numerous
links are emerging between the nuclear RNA surveillance system and
chromatin structure. Notably, loss of the nuclear poly(A) polymerase
Trf4, which is a component of the TRAMP complex and a cofactor for the
nuclear exosome, is synthetic-lethal (sl) with mutations in many
different chromatin remodeling and modification factors. Many
non-protein coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are stabilized in the absence of Trf4,
which can associate with these RNAs cotranscriptionally. We are looking
for a researcher to investigate the links between ncRNAs, the
surveillance machinery and chromatin structure. Funding is available
from the Wellcome Trust.
2) The application of systems biology techniques to analyses of ribosome synthesis.
Funding
is available for a postdoctoral fellow funded by the EU Ribosys Network
to work on the application of computer modeling to the understanding of
the rRNA synthesis pathway. Many analyses of pre-rRNA processing have
been published, but these have left many questions unanswered. Most
analyses of ribosome synthesis have relied on qualitative data that is
interpreted intuitively following visual inspection of the primary data
(northern hybridization, primer extension etc.). Our aim in this
project is to place both the collection of data and its interpretation
on a more solid and rigorous foundation.
We have developed
techniques that allow sampling of metabolically labeled RNA on a 10
second timescale. This is much faster that could previously be obtained
and is comparable to the timescale of pre-rRNA processing reactions.
Analysis and modeling of the quantitative data generated has given
fresh insights into the kinetics of the processing pathway. We are now
looking for a researcher to follow up these initial analyses by
refining the mathematical model and applying it to the analysis of
alterations in the processing pathway under different physiological
conditions.
3) Characterization of the binding sites and functions of ribosome synthesis factors.
At
least 200 proteins participate in the post-transcriptional steps of
ribosome synthesis in yeast, in addition to the 79 ribosomal proteins,
but the actual functions of most of these factors remain quite unclear.
A major difficulty has been that for almost no factors is their site of
association with the pre-rRNA identified. With the aim of overcoming
this limitation, we have developed the CRAC cross-linking technique,
which is allowing us to systematically identify the RNA binding site(s)
of ribosome synthesis factors. RNA binding sites have
been successfully mapped with high resolution for over half of the
factors tested to date. This offers the possibility of many novel
analyses of the specific roles of these factors in pre-rRNA processing
and ribosome assembly, and we are looking for a researcher to
participate in these analyses. Funding is available from the Wellcome
Trust.
Postgraduate students:
The
deadlines for applications to most funding agencies for PhD students
commencing in October 2008 have now passed. We would therefore not
generally be able to accept further applications for the next academic
year.
The next deadline for applications to the Wellcome Trust 4 year PhD Programme in Cell Biology will be Dec. 19, 2008.
For further details contact:
David Tollervey
Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology
University of Edinburgh
Swann Building
King's Buildings
Edinburgh EH9 3JR
UK
Tel: +44 131 650 7092
Fax: + 44 131 650 7040
e-mail: d.tollervey@ed.ac.uk
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