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
( 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 PIs 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 signaling. 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 related discipline with 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).
We are one of the UK's leading universities, internationally recognised for our expertise across a range of disciplines
and research breakthroughs in multiple areas, including science, medicine and engineering, amongst many others.
Our purpose is to transform lives, locally and globally, which we do as a community of staff (Professional Services and
academic Schools), students and alumni. Professional Services directorates are key to delivering the University
strategy and driving change across the University.
For further information about this position please contact Prof Ian Ganley at i.ganley@dundee.ac.uk or Prof Miratul
Muqit at m.muqit@dundee.ac.uk. To find out more about MRC PPU please visit
Commitment to DORA
The School of Life Sciences has been fully committed to the principals 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.
As an internationally diverse institution, we welcome job applicants from all countries and nationalities. The School of
Life Sciences is proud to employ staff from over 40 different nations.
The diversity of our staff and students helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for
undergraduate, postgraduate and distance learning. Family friendly policies, staff networks for BME, Disabled and
LGBT staff, membership of Athena SWAN, the ECU Race Equality Charter and Stonewall as well a full range of
disability services, create an enjoyable and inclusive place to work