Postdoctoral Research Assistant

The Miller Lab at the University of Dundee is seeking an independent and ambitious Postdoctoral Research Assistant to study the conserved cellular machinery that mediates biogenesis of secreted and membrane proteins, focusing on protein quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment for two years in the first instance. The research project focuses on the early stages of secretory protein synthesis and how specific conditions trigger a stress-response pathway known as ER-associated ribosome-associated quality control (ER-RQC). The project aims to understand how cells maintain quality control during protein biogenesis by tuning translation to prevent ribosome collisions, how ribosome collisions are sensed and resolved, and how cells respond to this quality control event. The lab will utilize genetic approaches in yeast to dissect the molecular mechanisms governing ER-RQC, define the spectrum of protein clients subject to this pathway, and translate these findings into human cell models.

Principal duties and responsibilities include:

Reporting directly to Prof. Miller and undertaking research aimed at dissecting the mechanisms of ER-RQC in yeast and human cells.

Working independently to identify, develop, and apply a broad range of techniques to pursue research objectives, including yeast genetics, biochemistry, and ribosome profiling.

Interacting with other laboratories and Divisions within the Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) / School of Life Sciences (SLS) to deliver research outputs.

Presenting scientific work at internal FLS seminars and external meetings.

Drafting scientific papers and contributing to the overall preparation of research for publication.

Working as part of a small team alongside research support staff, and assisting in the supervision and training of Honours, MSc, and PhD students.

Eligibility Criteria:

A PhD in a relevant subject area (expertise in yeast genetics and ribosome biology is particularly valued).

Minimal requirement of a major contribution to at least one paper in a peer-reviewed journal.

Demonstrated experience in independently running a research project that reflects creativity and initiative.

Required Expertise/Skills:

Strong expertise in both yeast genetics/biochemistry, ribosome biology, and human cell models.

Experience with standard molecular biology techniques.

Advantageous experience in yeast genetics, biochemistry, ribosome profiling, and mRNA analyses.

Quantitative analytical skills, including statistical analysis.

Excellent communication skills for scientific drafting, presentations, and student mentoring.

Salary Details: £37,174 to £40,497 per annum (Grade 7)

Application Deadline: 31st August 2026 (Placed on 3rd August 2026)