Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Salary range £28,977 p.a. to £32,196 p.a.

The Babraham Institute is a charity which is world renowned for its research in life sciences to enhance lives and improve wellbeing.

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scientist to study the mechanisms that ensure the faithful propagation of the characteristic chromatin signature at imprinting control regions (ICRs), and hence regulate parent-of-origin specific expression of the associated genes. We have identified novel players that contribute to the maintenance of key ICR features, such as allele-specific DNA methylation, H3K9me3 accumulation and Kap1 binding. The work will discern, in ES cell- and appropriate mouse knockout models, how these factors associate with the ICR protein complex to stabilize the ICR-specific chromatin structure. As such, the project is novel and will provide exciting new insights into epigenetic gene regulation, imprinting control, and the mechanisms of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.

The candidate will utilise a number of key state-of-the-art technologies including ChIP-qPCRs, ChIP-seq, ES cell manipulation such as overexpression, knockdown and gene targeting approaches, analysis of stochastic events in emerging low/single cell transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses in vitro and in vivo, immunoprecipitaton of protein complexes followed by mass spectrometric analysis of interacting proteins; and analysis of mouse models to validate the identified mechanism(s).

The project provides a unique opportunity to perform research in the exciting area of epigenetic gene regulation and imprinting control with important implications for human health. The laboratory is embedded within the cutting-edge Epigenetics Programme at the Babraham Institute, providing an excellent training and research environment for the motivated scientist. Essential technical support is ensured by the Bioinformatics, Next Generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, FACS and Imaging facilities at BI. For recent relevant publications see Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol., 10: 526; Nat. Cell Biol. 10: 1280; Stem Cells, 30: 2732; Genes & Dev. , 25: 1702; Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B. 368: 20110336.

Applicants must have a PhD in Genetics, Cell or Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry and a proven research track record in the area of epigenetics. They must also have profound expertise in molecular biology/genetics including ChIP and IP techniques and in ES cell culture and manipulation. Experience in good laboratory practice is also required. Further enquiries on the position may be made to Myriam Hemberger (myriam.hemberger@babraham.ac.uk).

This is a limited term contract expected to last up to 3 years.

Further information about the Institute can be found on our website. Application forms and further details are available electronically from our website (www.babraham.ac.uk), or by contacting our 24-hour Recruitment Line on 01223 496365, or e-mail: babraham.personnel@babraham.ac.uk. On applying please quote reference MH/RS/LT. Closing date for completed applications is 17th November 2013. NO AGENCIES PLEASE

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The Babraham Institute receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.