Research Assistant/Associate - tricellular adherens junctions in epithelial morphogenesis

Vacancy Reference Number

PM28456

Closing Date

30 Nov 2021

Salary

£27,116 - £31,406 or £33,309 - £40,927

Address

Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Cambridge

We are pleased to advertise a post for a Research Assistant/Associate to study the composition and role of tricellular adherens junctions in epithelial morphogenesis in Dr Bénédicte Sanson's group.

We have discovered the first known resident component of tricellular adherens junctions (tAJs) in the fruit fly Drosophila, the transmembrane adhesion molecule Sidekick (Sdk) [1,2]. Sidekick, and thus tAJs, have been shown to be important in various aspects of epithelial morphogenesis in several tissues in Drosophila. We propose here to elucidate how Sidekick localises at tAJs and to understand better Sidekick's role in facilitating cell rearrangements during the extension of the main body axis in fly embryos. Approaches for the project will include molecular dissection of Sdk, optogenetics and super-resolution microscopy, the latter in collaboration with Prof. Daniel St Johnston (Gurdon Institute) and the Cambridge Advanced Imaging Centre. There will also be an opportunity to collaborate with Dr Clare Buckley (PDN) to address the conservation of this epithelial role of Sdk in vertebrates, in the zebrafish model.

The approaches developed for this project will complement and synergise with existing approaches in the lab, including Drosophila genetics, advanced live imaging, computational analysis of cell behaviours and mathematical modelling. We are looking to recruit either at Research Assistant or Research Associate level.

The post is available for an immediate start with funding for the project available to the end of September 2023 in the first instance.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.