Research Support Assistant

To work within the Group of Ramanujan Hegde at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), within a programme aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms of membrane protein insertion and folding. The post holder will assist researchers in biochemical, structural, and data analysis, particularly as it relates to factors important for protein transport and protein quality control, under the guidance of the group leader.

Main duties:

The job will involve a combination of experimental and computational work to be planned and executed carefully under the guidance of the group leader and other senior members of the group.

To organise work on a weekly basis and manage their experimental work within the project along with their group leader.

To discuss progress and plans on a regular basis with the group leader and members of the group.

To ensure the research is carried in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local polices and legal requirements.

To contribute to the smooth running of the research group, including the effective use of resources and taking responsibility for use of communal facilities.

Specific duties may include:

Analysis of protein phylogeny as a means of deducing protein function
Application of modern computational methods for protein structure prediction
Application of structure determination software for building structural models into existing datasets
Use of standard structural visualisation software to derive biological insights from structures
Use of structural visualisation software to prepare accurate and visually appealing figures
Biochemical assays of protein function
Protein purification using recombinant protein expression and affinity isolation

Working relationships:

The postholder will report to Dr Hegde and will interact and collaborate with other postdoctoral scientists, research support staff and students in the Group and across the LMB, and with external Groups as necessary.

Additional information:

The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

Education / qualifications / training required:

Degree or the equivalent in a relevant biological subject.

Previous work experience required:

Experience in bioinformatics, structural biology, and organelle biology in a laboratory setting

Experience in the analysis of both cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography data.

Experience using organisms for protein expression including E. coli, yeast, insect, and mammalian cells.

Knowledge and experience:

Evidence of in-depth knowledge of the principles and concepts in cell biology, biochemistry, and enzymes.

Knowledge of the machinery and biochemical principles of protein transport and localisation in cells.

Knowledge of the main software packages for structure determination and visualisation.

Knowledge of Python and the capacity to write custom code for specific objectives.

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities:

• Commitment.
• Originality.
• Ability to communicate.
• Working with others.