Postdoctoral Researcher - UOD2074

University of Dundee; Dundee; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Scotland is seeking two Postdoctoral Researchers to join the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit. The successful candidates will investigate regulatory pathways controlling mitophagy related to Parkinson’s disease. Applicants should hold a PhD in Cell Biology or a related discipline and have a strong background in relevant research areas. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• PhD with an outstanding academic track record and a publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Interest in signal transduction research related to human disease.
• Strong background in mouse neurobiology and biochemistry.

Responsibilities

• Generate knockout iPSC lines and perform quality control.
• Characterisation of mitophagy in vitro and in vivo.
• Present public and patient involvement activities.

Skills

Signaling

Cell Biology

Mouse Neurobiology

Biochemistry

Proteomics

Gene editing

iPSC culture

Education

PhD in Cell Biology, Mouse Neuroscience, or related discipline

Job description

Posted on 25 November 2025 | Reference: UOD2074

Unit: MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit
Contract type: Fixed-Term / Full-time
Grade 7 (£37,174-£42,882)
MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU):
The MRC PPU is one of the world's most renowned centres for research on protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation
(http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/). Many world-leading researchers in the field of signal transduction have trained within the MRC PPU. The major aims of the MRC PPU are to advance understanding of the role of protein phosphorylation and ubiquitylation in cell regulation and human disease, to facilitate the development of drugs to treat diseases caused by abnormalities in phosphorylation, to generate reagents and improve technologies. A key remit of the MRC PPU is to train the next generation of scientists who will advance our understanding in this crucial area of medical research.
School of Life Sciences (SLS):
The MRC PPU is based within the School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee, a world‑class academic institution with a reputation for the excellence of its research, its high-quality teaching and student experience, and the strong impact of its activities outside academia. With 900 staff from over 60 countries worldwide the School provides a dynamic, multi-national, collegiate and diverse environment with state‑of‑the‑art laboratory, technology and teaching facilities.
Division of Signal Transduction Unit (DSTT):
The Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT) was established in 1998. This division operates as a unique collaboration between scientists in the MRC PPU and signalling researchers at the University of Dundee's School of Life Sciences and the pharmaceutical industry. The DSTT is widely regarded as a model for how academia should interact with industry. The DSTT operates as a simple bridging mechanism to enable our PI`s working on ubiquitylation and phosphorylation to effectively interact with major pharmaceutical companies to help accelerate the early stages of drug discovery.

We are recruiting for Postdoctoral Researchers for a fixed-term 24‑month appointment.

We are seeking up to two postdoctoral researchers to join the labs of Professors Ian Ganley and Miratul Muqit at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC PPU), Dundee. Candidates with expertise in signalling, cell biology, and mouse neurobiology will investigate novel regulatory pathways controlling mitophagy in the brain.

The Ganley and Muqit labs aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) through open, collaborative research. The successful applicants will work on a Michael J. Fox Foundation‑funded translational project using human iPSC‑derived cells and mouse models to assess small‑molecule modulators of mitophagy‑related signalling, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies for PD.

The projects will focus on how alpha‑synuclein and PINK1 regulate mitophagy, building on the labs’ previous discoveries to extend recent findings on the integrated stress response and alpha‑synuclein‑mediated mitophagy.

Researchers will benefit from the MRC PPU’s interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, strong links with industry, and opportunities for public and patient engagement. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge PD research, gain training in advanced techniques, and establish a strong international scientific profile.

Relevant publications

• Singh PK, Agarwal S, Volpi I, Wilhelm LP, Becchi G, Keenlyside A, Macartney T, Toth R, Rousseau A, Masson GR, Ganley IG, Muqit MMK. Kinome screening identifies integrated stress response kinase EIF2AK1/HRI as a negative regulator of PINK1 mitophagy signalling. Sci Adv. 2025 May 9;11(19):eadn2528. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adn2528. PMID: 40344059.
• Bagnoli E, Lin YE, Burel S, Jaimon E, Antico O, Themistokleous C, Nikoloff JM, Squires S, Morella I, Watzlawik JO, Fiesel FC, Springer W, Tonelli F, Lis P, Brooks SP, Dunnett SB, Brambilla R, Alessi DR, Pfeffer SR, Muqit MMK. Endogenous LRRK2 and PINK1 function in a convergent neuroprotective ciliogenesis pathway in the brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Feb 4;122(5):e2412029122. PMID: 39874296.
• Longo M, Bishnu A, Risiglione P, Montava‑Garriga L, Cuenco J, Sakamoto K, MacKintosh C, Ganley IG. Opposing roles for AMPK in regulating distinct mitophagy pathways. Mol Cell. 2024 Nov 21;84(22):4350‑4367.e9. PMID: 39532100.
• Singh F, Prescott AR, Rosewell P, Ball G, Reith AD, Ganley IG. Pharmacological rescue of impaired mitophagy in Parkinson’s disease‑related LRRK2 G2019S knock‑in mice. Elife. 2021 Aug 3;10:e67604. PMID: 34340748.

Your priorities will include

• Generate knockout iPSC lines and perform quality control followed by differentiation to iNeurons.
• Breeding and characterisation of alpha‑synuclein and PINK1 knockout models crossed to mitophagy (mito‑QC) reporter lines.
• Biochemical and cell‑biological characterisation of mitophagy in vitro and in vivo.
• Public and patient involvement and engagement presentations.
• Dissemination of protocols and data openly and through formal peer‑reviewed publications.
• Advising and mentoring undergraduate and PhD students.

Who we’re looking for

• A PhD in Cell Biology, Mouse Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Proteomics or a related discipline with an outstanding academic track record and a publication record in internationally recognised peer‑reviewed journals.
• Have an interest in signal transduction research and how disruptions of these pathways are linked to human disease.
• Strong background in mouse neurobiology, biochemistry, cell biology, proteomics and/or gene editing.
• Ability to work independently but with excellent ability to work in a team, and an open and collaborative approach to science.
• Excellent communication skills and knowledge of the English language are essential.
• Experience in mouse neurobiology or proteomics would be highly desirable.
• Expertise in iPSC culture is desirable, although the successful candidate would be supported and trained (if necessary).

Commitment to DORA

The School of Life Sciences has been fully committed to the principles of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) since 2013. In assessing applicants, we consider the scientific quality of their published research papers, but do not take into account where the papers were published and do not consider journal‑based metrics, such as Journal Impact Factors.

For further information about this position please contact Prof Ian Ganley at [e-mail] or Prof Miratul Muqit at [e-mail]. To find out more about MRC PPU please visit https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/

Tuesday, 23 December 2025, 23:59

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