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PhD Studentship - Biochemical and Cellular Investigation of Small Molecule Wnt Signalling Modulator

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Aug 31, 2018

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Job Details

Interviews will be held from early April onwards

PhD description: Background: This is an interdisciplinary PhD project suitable for candidates who have a strong interest in both biochemistry and cell biology. The project concerns the functional characterisation of a range of new small molecules and their use as chemical probes to investigate important protein-protein interaction networks of several signalling pathways in human, including the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. The latter plays a pivotal role in human physiology and is critical for embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. These critical roles are underscored by the observation that dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling contributes to the development of multiple cancer types. There is therefore a huge interest in bringing a better understanding of the phenomena underpinning molecular recognition events in this pathway, and their precise role in downstream cellular signalling cascades. 

The successful candidate will join a dynamic and multidisciplinary team at the University of Southampton (UoS) to work on a challenging project at the interface of biochemistry and biomedical science. He/she will benefit from the outstanding facilities and vibrant environment provided by the University of Southampton. The primary objective of the PhD candidate will be to elucidate the mode of action of new small molecule modulators of Wnt signalling using a palette of cellular and biophysical methods. This will involve the identification of new protein-protein interactions (PPIs) modulated by the small molecules using cutting-edge proteomic techniques, and the characterisation and functional elucidation of the new PPIs using in vitro biophysical techniques and cellular assays. This multidisciplinary project will be supervised by Dr Matthias Baud (School of Chemistry), Professor Graham Packham (Cancer Sciences), Dr Rob Ewing and Dr Paul Skipp (Biological Sciences).

Solid knowledge and experimental skills in biochemistry will be helpful, as this will constitute an important part of this project. However, the multidisciplinary nature of this project will give the opportunity to the student to acquire knowledge and skills in other relevant disciplines in the supervisors’ respective groups. Those include biophysical techniques (DSF, NMR, ITC, FP, SPR, MST), biochemistry (protein expression/purification, proteomics), computational and bioinformatics approaches (large-scale data analysis), and molecular/cell biology (cytotoxicity assays, Western-blots, qPCR). Overall, this multidisciplinary program of research will provide the PhD student with an exceptional combination of skills and knowledge required for modern research in the biological sciences through laboratory experience and training courses, in addition to grow communication skills by presenting the work at meetings and conferences.

The project is funded for 3 years and welcomes applicants from the UK and EU who have or expect to obtain at least an upper second class degree in biochemistry, cell biology or allied subjects/relevant disciplines. Funding will cover fees and a stipend at current research council rates of £ 14,777 per annum.

 

Due to funding restrictions this position is only open to UK/EU applicants

Applications for a PhD in Chemistry should be submitted online at:

https://studentrecords.soton.ac.uk/BNNRPROD/bzsksrch.P_Search

Please ensure you select the academic session 2018-2019 in the academic year field and click on the Research radio button.  Enter Chemistry in the search text field.

Please place Baud/Packham/Ewing/Skipp in the field for proposed supervisor/project

General enquiries should be made to m.baud@soton.ac.uk.  Any queries on the application process should be made to pgafnes@soton.ac.uk

Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, and interviews will be organized from early April onwards. The position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.

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Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

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