Research Associate

Job number    ACAD104461
Division/School   School of Biochemistry
Contract type   Open Ended
Working pattern   Full time
Salary    £33,797 - £38,017 per annum
Closing date for applications   19-Mar-2020

Structural molecular biology of human transcription factor complexes by Cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. 

A Wellcome Trust-funded postdoctoral position in structural molecular biology of protein complexes are available at the School of Biochemistry and the cutting-edge Bristol Synthetic Biochemistry Centre BrisSynBio (www.bristol.ac.uk/brissynbio) starting as soon as possible (latest September 1, 2020). The position is initially for 2 years, to be extended upon mutual consent. 

An essential first step in biogenesis is gene transcription. In humans, this process is regulated by multiprotein which arrange in superstructures at the interface of chromatin. In the Berger lab, we aim to understand the cellular mechanisms of human multiprotein machines in gene expression, their assembly from gene to functional complex, and the factors in the cell that regulate this process. Understanding these mechanisms will illuminate key cellular processes, clarify how malfunctions can lead to pathologies, and ultimately help develop strategies for the design of new therapeutic interventions.  

As part of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team you will apply state-of-the-art structural biology (electron cryo-microscopy, X-ray crystallography), and biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology techniques, to research the interactions and cellular assembly of transcription factor complexes of the human gene expression machinery. Experience from gene to structure including structural biology know-how (crystallography and/or cryo-EM), is essential; expertise in protein-DNA interactions, chromatin technologies or multiprotein complexes is desirable.  You should hold, or expect to hold shortly, a PhD in Structural Biology (Cryo-EM, X-ray Crystallography), Biochemistry, Biophysics or a related subject.  

You will be based in the Berger laboratory, and closely work together with the laboratories of Christiane Schaffitzel (Bristol), Laszlo Tora (IGBMC Strasbourg), Marc Timmers (Freiburg, Germany) and Juri Rappsibler (Edinburgh/Berlin). 

Our laboratory is situated at Bristol University and the Bristol Synthetic Biology Centre, BrisSynBio. Bristol is a leading University (Top5 in UK, Top30 worldwide) and a centre for structural biology in the UK. Excellent equipment and know-how is available including our new state-of-the-art cryo-EM facility.   

References (selection): [1] Antonova et al. Nature Structural Molecular Biology 2018 25(12):1119-1127 [2] Gupta et al. Elife. 2017 6. pii: e30395 [3] Koehler et al. Nature Methods 2016 13:997-1000   [4] Trowitzsch et al, Nature Communications 2015  6:6011 [5] Bieniossek et al, Nature 2013 493:699-702 [6] Imasaki et al. Nature 2011 475, 240-44. 

For informal enquiries please contact Prof Imre Berger, imre.berger@bristol.ac.uk, +44 (0)117 39 41857. 

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.