Job Description

Closing date

Tuesday, 5 August 2025, 23:59

Salary

37,174 - 44,128 per annum

Grade 7

Contract type

Fixed Term

3.5 Years

Campus
City
School/Directorate
School of Life Sciences
Unit/Department
MRC PPU

Unit: MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit

Contract type:

Fixed-Term

Grade 7 (37,174 - 44,128)

=================================

Description:

We are recruiting a highly motivated individual to join us as a Postdoctoral Scientist in Dr Kirby Swatek's laboratory to study the roles of ISG15 modifications, an underexplored and abundant signal of the innate immune response. This position is a fixed-term appointment until 16th January 2029.


The goal of the Swatek lab is to understand the immunomodulatory roles of a ubiquitin-like modifier called InterferonStimulated Gene 15 (ISG15). As its name suggests, ISG15 is highly upregulated in interferon-treated and virus-infected cells and marks thousands of proteins to regulate the host immune response. Surprisingly, however, our mechanistic understanding of ISG15's contributions to antiviral signalling is largely unknown. The goal of the position is to characterise the cellular machinery that writes and reads these modifications. The project merges several disciplines, complements ongoing lab efforts, and expands upon our recent discoveries in this area. The postdoc will have access to several exciting new tools in the lab, as well as state-of-the-art equipment conveniently located in the School of Life Sciences. While the successful applicant will work independently, there will be plenty of opportunities to collaborate with researchers within and outside the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit.


Please contact Dr Kirby Swatek (kswatek001@dundee.ac.uk) for informal enquiries or discussions.

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU):

The MRC PPU is one of the world's most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation (http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/). Many world-leading researchers in the field of signal transduction have trained within the MRC PPU. The major aims of the MRC PPU are to advance understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation, to generate reagents and improve technologies. A key remit of the MRC PPU is to train the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of medical research.

School of Life Sciences (SLS):

The MRC PPU is based within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, a world-class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high-quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 900 staff from over 60 countries worldwide the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state-of-the-art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities.

Division of Signal Transduction Unit (DSTT):

The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) was established in 1998. This division operates as a unique collaboration between scientists in the MRC PPU and signalling researchers at the University of Dundee's School of Life Sciences and the pharmaceutical industry. The DSTT is widely regarded as a model for how academia should interact with industry. The DSTT operates as a simple bridging mechanism to enable our PIs working on ubiquitylation and phosphorylation to effectively interact with major pharmaceutical companies to help accelerate the early stages of drug discovery.


Your priorities will include:


Biochemical and Cell biology studies of the ISG15 system Performing a wide array of multidisciplinary techniques Advising and mentoring undergraduate and PhD student Presenting your research at lab meetings, workshops, and conferences Writing manuscripts for publication

Who we're looking for:


Applicants with a PhD (or will complete your PhD studies within six months of the application deadline) A track record of academic success Experience in tissue culture and proteomic techniques A strong background in immune signaling and ubiquitin biology would be advantageous Candidates who can teach a small multidisciplinary team of enthusiastic scientists. Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
We are one of the UK's leading universities, internationally recognised for our expertise across a range of disciplines and research breakthroughs in multiple areas, including science, medicine and engineering, amongst many others. Our purpose is to transform lives, locally and globally, which we do as a community of staff (Professional Services and academic Schools), students and alumni. Professional Services directorates are key to delivering the University strategy and driving change across the University.

Commitment to DORA

The School of Life Sciences has been fully committed to the principals of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) since 2013. In assessing applicants, we consider the scientific quality of their published research papers, but do not take into account where the papers were published and do not consider journal-based metrics, such as Journal Impact Factors.


As an internationally diverse institution, we welcome job applicants from all countries and nationalities. The School of Life Sciences is proud to employ staff from over 40 different nations.


The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning. Family friendly policies, staff networks for BME, Disabled and LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN, the ECU Race Equality Charter and Stonewall as well a full range of disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work.