Research Associate in Platelet Biology and Targeted Protein Degradation (PROTACs)

The role

The postdoctoral Research Associate will evaluate the ability of existing and newly developed PROteolysis TArgeted Chimeras (PROTACs) in selectively degrading tyrosine kinases in human platelets and evaluate their functional effects on platelet function and thrombosis. The position is funded by a cross-disciplinary award from the BBSRC on ‘PROTACs as a novel Approach to target Protein Tyrosine Kinases for degradation in human Platelets’ and brings together complementary teams in platelet biology (Prof Ingeborg Hers), and organic chemistry (Prof Varinder Aggarwal FRS). The overarching aim of the award, which supports two postdoctoral Research Associate positions, is to design, synthesise and optimize PROTACs to selectively degrade protein tyrosine kinases in human platelets and modulate platelet function and thrombosis. The PDRA will be based in the Hers lab in the Biomedical Sciences Building.

What will you be doing?

You will:

Work on optimisation of experimental conditions for PROTAC-mediated protein degradation in human platelets/Testing PROTACs on cell permeability, ligand binding and tertiary complex formation/Evaluation of platelet signalling and function upon PROTAC-mediated protein degradation
Work with the principal investigator to design, plan and orchestrate research projects within the team, leading undergraduate and postgraduate students
Conduct own and collaborative research projects/lead and manage own workload, research and administrative activities. Write up work for presentation and publication. Meticulously record experimental planning and results 
Assist in the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding and contractual purposes

You should apply if

You are an enthusiastic and self-motivated research scientist with hands-on experience in platelet biology and PROTAC technologies, and a track record of working in cross-disciplinary team environments.