Job Description

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have an established background in cryoEM? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research intensive Universities?

We seek to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to the research team led by Dr Elton Zeqiraj in the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. The position is available for one year. The successful applicant will undertake biochemical, structural and functional studies of macromolecular complexes involved in ubiquitin cell signalling regulation. The position will suit someone interested in cryo-electron microscopy, cell signalling biology, enzyme inhibitor mechanism of action and early-stage drug discovery. 

You should have or be very close to completing a PhD in Structural Biology or related discipline. You should have a strong background in potein production, cryoEM and structural analysis of protein complexes and co-structures, and experience with challenging cryoEM projects, biophysical methods, enzyme assays, and identification of inhibitor mode of action. Significant experience with DUB inhibitors / molecular glues and experience in cryo-electron microscopy would be advantageous.   

The Astbury Centre for Structural & Molecular Biology at the University of Leeds has excellent facilities for cryo-electron microscopy (two Titian Krios 300 kV equipped with Falcon-4 detectors and Selectris energy filters, protein crystallography (crystallisation robots, automatic imaging), and protein production with expertise in multi-subunit expression in insect cell, yeast and bacterial expression systems. The Astbury Centre is also well-equipped with instrumentation for biophysical analysis (e.g. ITC, mass photometry, fluorescence, multi-angle light scattering). Additionally, the University provides a state-of-the-art infrastructure for mammalian cell culture, high-throughput screening, imaging, mammalian genetics, chemical biology and proteomics.

The University of Leeds and the Faculty of Biological Sciences are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offer a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN (the national body that promotes gender equality in higher education), and the Faculty of Biological Sciences was awarded a Silver award in 2020.  We are proud to be an inclusive Faculty that values all staff, and are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees. Our Athena SWAN webpage provides more information. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Prof. Elton Zeqiraj, Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 33079 | Email: [email protected]