Applications are invited for a postdoctoral researcher position in the laboratory of Dr Paul Miller at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, beginning from around October 2022. 

The project will focus on studying the molecular basis of antibody modulation of ion channel function and applying structure-guided approaches to engineer new research tools. This is vital to define channel subtype contributions to CNS physiology and disease and to discover new therapeutic modalities. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in one or more aspects of handling challenging membrane proteins, structure-guided antibody engineering, and cryo-EM, ideal for follow-on academic and biotechnology careers. The lab utilises mammalian cell protein expression systems, membrane protein purification, and cryo-EM via Arctica and Krios microscopes with K2/K3 direct detectors, and also has manual and automated electrophysiology equipment,. More information about the laboratory is available at https://www.phar.cam.ac.uk/research/miller. 

The applicant will be about to obtain a PhD or have obtained a PhD within the last 3 years. Experience in molecular biology, protein production, purification and structural biology (X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM) is required. You must be a careful and methodical worker, paying attention to accuracy, be able to take responsibility and interact as part of a tightly knit team, and be willing to work in a collaborative environment. You should be self-motivated and able to organise, perform and analyse experiments with minimal instruction. 

A recent relevant publication from the lab is: 

Kasaragod VB, Mortensen M, Hardwick SW, Wahid AA, Dorovykh V, Chirgadze DY, Smart TG, Miller PS. 

Mechanisms of inhibition and activation of extrasynaptic alpha-beta GABA-A receptors. 

Nature. 2022 Feb;602(7897):529-533. PMID: 35140402 

Application Closing date: 15^th July 2022 

Project start date: Approximately 1^st October 2022 

For more details and to apply: https://www.https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/35285/ 

Informal enquiries about the position can be made to Dr Paul Miller ([log in to unmask])