[3dem] Postdoctoral position at University of Birmingham, UK

[Smith, Corinne]

A postdoctoral position is available in the group of Professor Tim Dafforn,  School of Biosciences,  College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK:



Research Fellow



Fixed term contract until 30 April 2016



Starting salary £27,854 a year, in a range up to £36,298 a year, with potential progression to £38,522 a year.

Applicants required join a dynamic laboratory to studying a revolutionary nanotechnology inspired membrane protein production method and its application in protein structure determination.
The method uses a simple polymer (Styrene Maleic Acid Co-polymer) to encapsulate membrane proteins in situ in their native membrane 1. The encapsulated particle takes the form of a 10 nm diameter disc with the membrane protein and membrane in the centre surrounded by an annulus of polymer. We have shown that this method can be generically applied to the production of a wide range of membrane proteins of different architectures yielding samples with native-like activities.
In this project we aim to examine whether these nanoparticles can be used in a range of cutting edge biophysical methods to provide detailed information on the protein structure. You will be expected to make a number of membrane proteins (G-protein coupled receptors, membrane anchors, enzymes and pumps) using the new method and then use them to develop methods for analysing the proteins using:

·       X-ray Crystallography

·       Cryo-Electron Microscopy

·       Small Angle X-ray and Neutron Scattering.
The successful applicant will be self-motivated with demonstrable experimental skills in membrane protein production (from microbial culture) and in at least one of the structural biology techniques listed above. Experience in small angle scattering or cryo-electron microscopy is preferred. The appointee will be intellectually independent and able to drive the development of the project in consultation with the principal investigators, able to help drafting manuscripts resulting from the project, and keen to contribute to training of PhD and undergraduates students in projects related to membrane protein production.
Closing date: 3 April 2013
Reference number: 47586

To apply online visit: https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=amNvZGU9MTMxNzI3NiZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT03Njcmb3duZXI9NTAzMjUyMSZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZicmFuZF9pZD0wJnZhY2Zpcm0udmFjdGl0bGU9NDc1ODYmcG9zdGluZ19jb2RlPTExNyZyZXFzaWc9MTM2Mzc3NzA3OC02OTg0ZDA4OWZmN2Y5ZGUyZWE2YmNkMjBkOWU5MmJjMmVmODdiOWFj
1.               (a) Jamshad, M.; Lin, Y. P.; Knowles, T. J.; Parslow, R. A.; Harris, C.; Wheatley, M.; Poyner, D. R.; Bill, R. M.; Thomas, O. R.; Overduin, M.; Dafforn, T. R., Surfactant-free purification of membrane proteins with intact native membrane environment. Biochem Soc Trans 2011, 39 (3), 813-8; (b) Knowles, T. J.; Finka, R.; Smith, C.; Lin, Y. P.; Dafforn, T.; Overduin, M., Membrane proteins solubilized intact in lipid containing nanoparticles bounded by styrene maleic acid copolymer. J Am Chem Soc 2009, 131 (22), 7484-5.


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://mail.ncmir.ucsd.edu/mailman/private/3dem/attachments/20130321/f7c9b1fe/attachment-0001.html