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Dear all, A postdoctoral position is available in my lab in the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology at University College London. The post is to investigate how calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is targeted in neurons, which underlies its role in strengthening synapses during learning. The ideal candidate will have a background in structural biology and/or biochemistry with an interest (but not necessarily a background) in neuroscience. The project involves an international collaboration with the University of Konstanz, and the postholder will have the opportunity to visit Konstanz to learn crosslinking coupled to mass spectrometry this summer. The post is initially funded for 18 months, and the deadline for applications is 19th March 2018. Please contact me directly for informal inquiries, or apply here: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BHU799/research-associate/ Best wishes, Matthew --- [University College London]<http://www.jobs.ac.uk/employer/university-college-london> Matthew Gold, PhD Sir Henry Dale Fellow University College London Dept. Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology Gower Street London WC1E 6BT Phone: 020 7679 7161 Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences/departments/npp/people/mgg<https://www.ucl.ac.uk/biosciences/departments/npp/people/mgg> --- More information relating to the position: Duties and Responsibilities We are recruiting a postdoctoral research associate to investigate a key mechanism for altering the strength of synaptic connections between neurons - the foundation of learning and memory. The project will focus on determining how the key enzyme that drives long-term synaptic potentiation is targeted in synapses. This will involve determining structures of protein complexes assembled in vitro using protein crystallography or electron microscopy, in tandem with analysis of the structure of intact synapses using cross-linking coupled to mass spectrometry (XL-MS) with brain extracts. In this way, the post-holder will have the opportunity to lead the first application of XL-MS to interrogate the structure of the synapse. Cross-linked brain extracts will be measured at the University of Konstanz, and the post-holder will have the opportunity to visit Konstanz to train in XL-MS. The successful applicant will join the group of Matthew Gold in the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology (NPP). The laboratory focuses on understanding how enzymes that respond to cyclic AMP (Walker-Gray et al., PNAS, 2017) and calcium (Patel et al., Nature Communications, 2017) control the strength of neuronal synapses at the molecular level. In addition to structural approaches, we are set up to perform electrophysiological recordings to tie structure to function. We also collaborate with laboratories within the department of NPP who interested in the structure of ion channels (Laverty et al., NSMB, 2017). This post is funded for 18 months in the first instance. Key Requirements The successful candidate must hold (or about to be awarded) a PhD degree in a relevant subject area. Applicants are required to have proven skills in general techniques underlying structural and molecular biology (including all or most of the following: molecular cloning, bacterial and mammalian cell culture, protein purification, assaying protein-protein interactions or enzymatic activity). Technical experience of purifying extracts from brain would be an advantage but is not essential. The successful candidate must demonstrate excellent verbal & written communication skills and be able to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences. Experience of successfully working in a competitive academic research environment as well as evidence of a publication record in good quality publications, commensurate with experience are also essential.