Postdoctoral Researcher – Bioinformatics

Vacancy Ref: 031209 Closing Date: 31-Oct-2014

Contact Person: Nacho Molina

Contact Email: nacho.molina@ed.ac.uk

SynthSys: Synthetic and Systems Biology Centre

Salary Scale: £31,342 - £37,394

A postdoctoral position is available in Molina Lab for 24 months starting December 2014 to investigate the dynamics of transcription factors in a fractal chromatin structure. The successful candidate will develop a mathematical model of TF diffusion that will be used to analyse available experimental data.

Applicants must have or be about to obtain a PhD in a relevant subject with expertise in:

Fixed term: 24 months

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the laboratory of Dr. Nacho Molina. The main research activity in Molina lab is to build stochastic and biophysical models of eukaryotic gene regulation.

The main goal of this project will be to develop new stochastic models of transcription factor (TF) diffusion taking into account the 3D structure of chromatin, which has recently been measure with new experimental techniques (e.g. Hi-C). Three main questions will be addressed: i) Does the 3D structure of chromatin help to understand the observed TF occupancy profiles on DNA? ii) What is the resulting distribution of searching times? iii) Does the new model reproduce the diffusion pattern of TFs observed by single-molecule experiments?

Applicants should hold or be about to obtain a PhD degree with proven track record in research. The mathematical tools required for this project are grounded on stochastic processes and statistical mechanics. The ideal candidate should have a strong mathematical background and also good programming skills. Experience in Bioinformatics and dealing with large-scale data will be strongly desirable.

The University of Edinburgh and the SynthSys center offer a unique dynamic and multidisciplinary environment ideal to develop a research career.

Job title: Post-doctoral Research Associate

School/Support Department: School of Biological Sciences

Unit: SynthSys: Synthetic and Systems Biology Centre

Line manager: Nacho Molina

A postdoctoral position is available for 24 months starting December 2014 to investigate the dynamics of transcription factors in a fractal chromatin structure. The successful candidate will develop a mathematical model of TF diffusion that will be used to analyse available experimental data.

1. Researching literature and data collection (Approx % of time: 10%)

2. Model developing and implementation (Approx % of time: 40%)

3. Data analysis and model fitting (Approx % of time: 30%)

4. Discuss and communicate results (Approx % of time: 10%)

5. Writing manuscripts (Approx % of time: 5%)

6. Supervise graduate and undergraduate students (Approx % of time: 5%)

4. Planning and Organising

The post-holder will be responsible for the day-to-day organisation of their research activities and will be expected to contribute to the overall direction of the research in consultation with the PI.

5. Problem Solving

The post-holder is expected to identify the problems related to the research as they arise and solve them in discussion with the PI.

6. Decision Making

The post-holder will be responsible of the day-to-day decisions needed to develop the research project. Decisions for major changes of research direction will be done in consultation with the PI.

7. Key Contacts/Relationships

The post-holder will be directly responsible to the line manager Nacho Molina. Interactions and collaborations with other members of the group are also expected.

8. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job

All applicants should apply online by clicking the "Apply Through Website"button at the bottom of this page. The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments.

You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.

The closing date is 5pm GTM on 31 October 2014.

In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

To do so, the University of Edinburgh requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.

For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work website

If you are not currently eligible to work in the UK, it may be possible for the University of Edinburgh to sponsor you to obtain a Tier 2 (General) visa to enable you to take up the appointment should you be successful at interview.

For applicants interested in sponsorship information is available on our Working in the UK website

However, if you have previously been sponsored by an employer within the UK but your leave has expired or lapsed and you are no longer in the UK, according to UK Border Agency rules you cannot apply for sponsorship under any category of Tier 2 for a period of 12 months after the date your visa expired and/or you left the UK.

This role is grade UE07 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.

For further information please visit our Pensions website.

.

The role is grade UE07 and attracts an annual salary of £31,342 to £37,394 for full-time. Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro-rata to the Standard Working Week.

The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual.

The Institute of Structural & Molecular Biology

ISMB studies the structural nature and impact of biomolecules from details of their atomic structure, through their assembly into larger scale molecular machines on up to studying the large scale effects of these molecular assemblies. ISMB contains groups investigating molecular structure using techniques such as biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray crystallography and computational structure prediction, as well as the full panoply of methods for protein production and biological characterisation. Facilities include high through-put DNA sequencing, protein production and purification, biophysical and kinetic analysis of proteins, in silico screening for drug leads, proteomics, optical and electron microscopy.

This diverse structural information is often combined with various other physical methods to comprehensively characterise biomolecules of interest to the pharmaceutical and food industries. The range of molecules studied is large, ranging from cell cycle control, cytoskeletal construction, electron transfer, control/implementation of biosynthetic pathways, molecules implicated in the import, export and persistence of bacterial cells within host cells. ISMB has close collaborative research links with the School’s Institute of Cell Biology, with SynthSys (synthetic and systems biology (http://www.csbe.ed.ac.uk/)) and with colleagues in the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, amongst other groupings. With links to the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions (CSEC (http://www.csec.ed.ac.uk/)) we are also interested in the mechanisms by which biomolecules survive in conditions that would normally lead to their destruction.