Job Description

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

The bacterial outer membrane (OM) is perhaps the most striking example of membrane asymmetry in biology, with an inner leaflet dominated by phospholipids, and an outer leaflet dominated by lipopolysacccharide molecules that are highly negatively charged and variable in composition. The OM also has a high protein content and little lipid compared with typical biological membrane.  We are looking for an outstanding post-doctoral research fellow to join an MRC-funded team investigating the structure and function of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that have evolved to function in this fascinating, unique environment, that may be a rich source of new targets for antibacterial intervention.

Exploiting recent developments in biochemical/biophysical assays of OMP folding in vitro and in vivo and using cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM), structure prediction and design, we aim to investigate and understand the structure and function of OMPs in asymmetric membranes, and the interactions made between proteins in the bacterial OM. 

This post will use membrane biochemistry, and biophysical techniques to study OMP structure, folding and function. Successful execution of this MRC-funded programme grant will thus transform our understanding of the structures, functions and interactomes of OMPs in the bacterial OM.

You will be based in the laboratory of Professors Neil Ranson and Sheena Radford at the University of Leeds and will work closely with other members of the membrane protein structure and folding teams. You should have a PhD (or be close to completion) in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or a related discipline, with experience of using either biophysical techniques and/or analysis of membrane protein structure and function.

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

Neil Ranson, Professor of Structural Molecular Biology

Email: N.A.Ranson@leeds.ac.uk

Sheena Radford, Astbury Professor of Biophysics

Email: S.E.Radford@leeds.ac.uk