Research Fellow (Electron Microscopy) – School of Biosciences – 95800 – Grade 7 Full-time

Research Fellow Position

There is a Research Fellow (Post-doc) position available in the field of integrative structural biology, based in the group of Prof. Teresa Carlomagno at the University of Birmingham. The research group studies the functional mechanisms of proteins, including intrinsically disordered proteins, nucleic acids and their complexes by integrative structural biology. The laboratory uses and develops state-of-the-art Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) methods as a major structural biology tool, in combination with several other complementary techniques, in particular cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM), but also Mass Spectrometry (MS), Small-Angle-Scattering and Fluorescence Microscopy.

The University of Birmingham has recently acquired a state-of-the-art FEI Glacios 3 Cryo-Electron Microscope, equipped with a Falcon 4i direct electron detector and a cold field emission gun (cold-FEG) for enhanced imaging performance. This advanced facility, together with state-of-the-art NMR, MS and Light Microscopy facilities available at the University, provides new opportunities to investigate the structural complexity of biological macromolecules at high resolution, supporting cutting-edge research across biosciences and biomedicine and enabling novel discoveries in molecular and cellular mechanisms.

The Research Fellow is proficient in high-resolution biomolecular structural determination by cryo-EM and will apply cryo-EM, together with complementary structural biology approaches, in the field of RNA metabolism and regulation of gene expression. There are opportunities to develop new approaches to integrative structural biology. In addition, the Research Fellow will use molecular biology, biophysical and biochemical techniques to produce and characterise biomolecular complexes and their activity in vitro and cellular biology approaches to verify the functional mechanisms in vivo.

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, in the area of interest of the hosting laboratory (Prof T Carlomagno)
• Acquire, analyse and interpret data – structural biology, biochemical and biophysical data
• Acquire, analyse and interpret high-resolution single-particle cryo-EM data
• Operate the cryo-EM microscope
• Produce biomolecular complexes by molecular biology techniques
• Optimize sample production and purification, as well as preparation of cryo-EM grids
• Establish protocols for cryo-EM data analysis, from micrographs to structures
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/Institute research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation and literature reviews
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Informal enquiries to Teresa Carlomagno, email: t.carlomagno@bham.ac.uk