Open position for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at University of Dundee (Cellular Medicine)
12.2.2019Duration of Employment: up to 36 months
We are recruiting for an exceptional individual to join us as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant within our team, to study immunometabolic actions of metformin. The post holder will work on a British Heart Foundation (BHF) funded project that aims to study ‘immunometabolic’ remodelling of monocyte and macrophage responses by metformin in cardiovascular disease. The work will mainly involve primary cell work, including proteomics, signalling analysis and other approaches to study cellular and molecular biological effects of the drug on immunity.
Our work in this area (Circulation, Circulation Research) has established that anti-inflammatory effects of metformin are exerted irrespective of diabetes status, through mechanisms that are different from existing anti-inflammatory drugs. Control of immunity through changes in metabolism- ‘immunometabolism,’ if it can be better understood, is recognised as a potential site of therapy even in nondiabetic age-related cardiovascular disease (CVD). To work towards this, the purpose of this proposal is to study effects of metformin on monocyte and macrophage biology, to develop a mechanism-based understanding of metformin’s anti-inflammatory actions. Timely insights from the recent CANTOS study, establishing a CVD group receptive to anti-inflammatory therapy, underlines translational potential.
You will be joining a dynamic and growing team working in open-plan lab space alongside other groups, all of us interested in basic science with translational potential. We will offer you experience in supervising students and although the majority of time will be based in Ninewells, Dundee, the post holder will require to have the ability to travel flexibly as this post includes a unique research stay in Finland as part of the group’s interest in internationalisation of diabetes and cardiovascular disease research networks. Previous experience in appropriate research techniques is desirable but training is available.
The University of Dundee enjoys an international reputation for excellence that attracts top-class students and academics from across the world – with over 140 countries represented in the University community. You will be based at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, one of Europe’s largest teaching hospitals where the School of Medicine provides outstanding opportunities in medical education and training supported by world class research facilities.
Your priorities will include:
- Manage multiple strands of research work to meet deadlines
- Prepare progress reports delivering to PIs and collaborators
- Day-to-day supervision of students within the group
- Write up results for publication
- Visit Finland in year 1
Who we’re looking for:
- Someone with a PhD or equivalent experience
- Highly motivated to publish, already with a major contribution to at least one published paper
- Ability/interest in leading a small team (through supervision of students) to achieve research goals
- An interest in cardiovascular/diabetes research, ultimately to make life better for patients
- Willingness and ability to visit Finland for collaborative research stay
The calibre of research at Dundee is high, with 95 per cent of staff working in areas of national or international excellence. Dundee benefits from a developed network of inter-disciplinary researchers collaborating across various Schools across our community.
For further information about this position please contact Dr Graham Rena at g.rena@dundee.ac.uk. To find out more about Ninewells Hospital and Medical School please visit https://www.dundee.ac.uk/medicine/.
More information at https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BPX947/postdoctoral-research-assistant
Deadline for applications is March 3, 2019.