Job Description
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate position in Dr. Angika Basant’s group at the Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London.
The Basant group, funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust, seeks to understand how tyrosine phosphatases regulate cell signalling. This large family of enzymes has been highly understudied compared to its kinase counterpart. We investigate these phosphatases in the context of signalling to the actin cytoskeleton and in virus-infected cells.
The researcher appointed will focus on candidate phosphatases that have been validated to regulate actin dynamics during infection with the poxvirus Vaccinia. How do these phosphatases function, what are their key interactors, how do they recognise substrates, how do they impact signalling dynamics and outputs? The broader goal is to contextualise these findings in uninfected cells and, with the help of a collaborator, in other viral infections. The researcher appointed will take advantage of, and further develop, a Vaccinia virus-based signalling platform, as well as cutting-edge molecule counting and optogenetics tools available in the lab. Experience in phosphatase biology, microscopy, cell signalling or biochemistry is desirable but not mandatory.
A PhD in a relevant discipline is required (or applicant to be near completion). A high-quality publication record and effective science communication skills are essential. International applicants are welcome.
This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract initially for 36 months. This is a full-time post. Earlies start date is 1st August 2024.
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