The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics

Division of Structural Biology, Oxford Particle Imaging Centre

Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Scientist (x2)

Department: Division of Structural Biology (STRUBI), Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine

Grade: 7£28,983 to £35,646 with a discretionary range to £38,951p.a.

Tenure: 2 years in the first instance (with a possibility of up to 5 years)

Reports to:Dr Kay Grünewald

Funded by: The Wellcome Trust

Background:

The Oxford Particle Imaging Centre (OPIC) is a Wellcome Trust-funded facility established to allow for studying large macromolecular complexes, such as human and animal viruses using a range of structural and biophysical techniques. Our group mainly uses cryo electron microscopic and tomographic studies of viruses and other large macromolecular complexes, both isolated and in the context of their native cellular environment. By combining this with other techniques like fluorescence microscopy we aim for integrative and correlative imaging from dynamic live cell imaging to atomic level structural information.

The research projects focus on the structural characterization of virus interactions in the course of cell-cell spread (Sherer et al. 2007, Nat Cell Biol. 9: 310-5.) and membrane modulation in the course of virus entry (Maurer et al. 2008, PNAS 105: 10559-64.).

Equipment in OPIC includes a FEI TF30 Polara equipped with a GIF2002 and preGIF 4K Gatan CCD, a FEI TF30 and a Jeol 2000. We are in the process of updating the detectors, including state-of-the-art direct electron detection devices and complementing the high-end microscopes by a FEI T12. Further, a Phillips CM120 in the Department of Biochemistry is also part of the Oxford multiuser facility. All microscopes are equipped with cryo-sample holders and are primarily used for cryo electron microscopic and tomographic studies of viruses and other large macromolecular complexes, both isolated and in the context of their native cellular environment.

OPIC is a unique facility in Europe: a 300kV FEG electron microscope is located in biosafety containment, enabling electron microscopic studies of human (ACDP hazard group 3) and animal (DEFRA hazard group 4) pathogens.

The Division of Structural Biology at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics provides an active, driven and innovative structural biology community well-linked with other centers both in Oxford and internationally. Strong local contacts exist with the Materials Science Department and the imaging groups at the Department of Biochemistry and the Dunn School of Pathology. Furthermore, we have close links to activities at the Diamond synchrotron.

Our group is a Wellcome Trust funded university research group focusing on structural cell biology of virus-host interactions. We constantly improve instruments and methods, and apply them to elucidate high-resolution 3D structures of biological specimens. We are dedicated to integrate the techniques with other imaging modalities and complementary approaches. The Oxford Particle Imaging Centre and the Division of Structural Biology at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics provide a highly international and collaborative environment and a driven innovative structural biology community well linked with other groups both in Oxford and internationally. We offer not only access to state of the art electron microscopic equipment but also access to the protein expression and purification facilities, state-of-the-art X-ray crystallography instrumentation and computing resources including GPU processing cores within the division.

The applicant’s background should be in one of the following areas: virology, cell biology, cryo-EM or computer modeling/bioinformatics.

Main Responsibilities

  • To undertake the research project described above or other work as agreed between the post-holder and the supervisors, by performing laboratory research involving a wide spectrum of molecular, cellular, virological and structural biological approaches.
  • To work closely with other members of the laboratory on related projects and to help in the supervision of students in the laboratory.
  • To contribute fully to laboratory meetings and discussion of the aims and objectives of the group’s work.
  • To keep up-to-date with relevant literature.
  • To be responsible with others for biological and general safety in the laboratory.

Communication

  • To work closely with the group leader and to keep them up-to-date with progress and difficulties in the research project.
  • To participate and contribute directly to scientific discussions with members of the laboratory and co-workers in other groups, both informally and at regular group meetings.
  • To contribute to the publication of research findings in high quality Journals.

Education and training

  • To attend appropriate scientific seminars and meetings and to remain up to date with developments in the relevant fields.
  • To participate in the education and training of other staff and students as necessary and appropriate.
  • Once trained the post holder's performance will be continually monitored to ensure that the required standard of accuracy and efficiency is maintained.

General responsibilities

  • To act at all times in the interests of the Henry Wellcome Buildings to ensure good laboratory practice.
  • To be accountable for their professional conduct within the project.
  • To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time that are commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of this post.
  • To ensure that work in the laboratory is conducted safely and, in particular, persons undertaking work do so using appropriate safety procedures and in the dedicated areas.
  • To conduct themselves with due regard to the University Equal Opportunities and Data Protection policies.

Knowledge and skills

The project has a focus on studying dynamic virus-host interactions using correlation microscopy of fluorescence microscopy and cellular cryo electron microscopy / tomography incl. image processing. Thus a thorough working familiarity with practical molecular laboratory techniques, fluorescence microscopy and cell culture for sample preparation is essential together with a general interest in cell biology and virus-host interactions. Previous experience in structural biology, particularly cryo-EM and image processing, is desired. Experience with virological techniques is a plus.

The applicant must have an adaptable approach to work and a willingness to tackle a variety of techniques. Support and trouble shooting guidance will always be available. However, an ability to work without supervision, combining a structured and organized approach with self-motivation and enthusiasm will be important. Working as part of a team, the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people will be especially important.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

  • PhD - evidence of academic achievements commensurate with the post applied for.
  • Evidence of working with accuracy, self-motivation and integrity.
  • Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
  • Good communication skills both written and oral.

Desirable:

  • A thorough working knowledge in a field of structural biology, preferentially cryo-EM.
  • Practical laboratory experience in cell biology, fluorescence microscopy and molecular biological techniques.
  • Experience in image processing.
  • Experience in virological techniques.

For more information and information about either the OPIC or the Research Group please go to:

or email: , phone: +44-1865-287817.

Working for the University of Oxford

At the University of Oxford, we’re naturally very proud of our outstanding reputation for scholarship and research. But we’re also proud to say that we’re one of the region’s biggest and best-established employers, with a diversity of staff helping to sustain our success – from laboratory assistants, cleaners, technicians and secretaries, to IT, finance and administrative professionals. Join us, and you can expect to find yourself working in a friendly, open-minded atmosphere where your ideas will be welcomed, with an interesting and satisfying job to do, and with plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, or maybe even get some extra qualifications.

As well as pay and other benefits such as generous holidays and excellent pension scheme, we may be able to help you with:

  • Training – We train our staff, both in the skills needed for starting the job, and to help them develop afterwards. If you don’t have all the skills we are looking for (e.g. computer packages), but you know you are a quick learner, its worth asking if training might be available.
  • Working Hours – We may be able to be flexible about working patterns to help you combine work with responsibilities at home. Even for full-time jobs, we can often adjust starting and finishing times, or even sometimes consider term-time-only working: if this is important to you, let us know.
  • Disability – If you have a disability, we have specialist staff who can help you to start and stay in work.
  • Childcare – We have several subsidised nurseries for under-fives, a holiday play scheme, tax and national insurance savings schemes, and are looking to expand our facilities. For further information see
  • Parenting – As well as providing childcare facilities, we have generous maternity; paternity and adoption leave schemes to help new parents on our staff.
  • Cultural and Religious needs – We respect the cultural and religious lives of our staff. If you need time away from work, or special facilities, and can give plenty of notice for arrangements to be made, this will always be considered.
  • Travel Arrangements – We offer an interest free-season ticket loan scheme for bus or train season tickets. Annual passes for Oxford Bus Company routes are available at discounted rates.
  • Use of University Facilities – All University staff can use the study facilities provided by the University libraries and museums; join the University Club, a sports and social club which has its own bar, café, and reading room; and make use of the University Sports Complex and the Pulse fitness centre.
  • Discounts – A number of discounts are available to University staff e.g. for insurance, holiday travel, and computer equipment.

The range of benefits is continuously reviewed and extended. For further information see

If you come from outside the area, you may be interested to know that as well as the famous tourist attractions such as the ‘dreaming spires’ of all the lovely old buildings, the river and a number of attractive parks and gardens, Oxford also has a busy shopping centre and a lively nightlife, particularly during term time. Housing is relatively expensive within the city, but nearby areas are more reasonable priced. Although car parking is difficult during the day, there are good train and bus services, including several ‘Park and Ride’ routes; and of course, lots of cycle paths.

The University has a generous maternity leave scheme and also offers paternity leave to expectant fathers and partners, and adoption leave. It offers subsided nursery places, a holiday playscheme, and tax and National Insurance savings schemes. For further information see

Pay and Benefits

The salary offered for full-time appointment to this job will be grade 7 (£28,983 to £35,646, discretionary range to £38,951). There is an annual ‘cost of living’ salary review, which normally takes place in summer each year. Pay and benefits for part-time appointments are worked out on a ‘pro rata’ basis.

For a full-time appointment, the annual holiday entitlement will be 38 days (including 8 public holidays). Your hours of work are such as are reasonably required to carry out your duties to the satisfaction of your head of department.

The appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period, during which the notice period will be one month on either side. Once the appointment has been confirmed, the notice period will be three months either side.

The position is available for 2 years in the first instance and will be funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Staff

The age of retirement for university appointments is 65. Staff are eligible to join the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) which is a contributory scheme. Subject to the Statement of Pensions Policy, which will be issued to the successful candidate, the appointee will be deemed to be in membership of the USS until such time as he or she gives notice in writing to exercise the right not to be a member of the scheme. The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics has a NO SMOKING policy.

How to apply

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Kay Grünewald (, Tel. 0044 1865 287817).

A detailed job description quoting reference H5-09-044-JHis available from the Personnel Administrator (tel: 01865 287508, email: , web

Please send your letter of application with full curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of two referees quoting the above reference number to: The Personnel Administrator, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN or by email to or fax to 01865 287516. The closing date for applications is Friday 20th August 2010.

The list of duties and the ‘selection criteria’ for this job describe the sort of skills, experience, knowledge or abilities which we are looking for. We will interview those whose applications best meet these criteria, so it is very important that you should use your application to explain how you can match them. Remember that you will have gained abilities, experience and skills from many aspects of your life; some may come from education or work, and others from home or community life. Tell us about which schools or colleges you went to and any qualifications you have. List employment, voluntary work, hobbies, or family responsibilities which help to show you meet the selection criteria.

Please give the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two people you are prepared to give you a reference for this job. If you have previously been employed, your referees should be people who have direct experience of your work through closely working with you for a considerable period, and at least one of them should be your formal line manager in your most recent job. Otherwise they can be people who know you from recent college, school, or voluntary experience. It is helpful if you can tell us briefly how each referee knows you (e.g. ‘line manager’. ‘Work colleague’, ‘college tutor’).

Your referees will be asked to look at the job details and tell us if, in their opinion, you could do the job. We will assume that we can approach them at any stage unless you tell us otherwise when you apply. So, if you wish us to ask for your permission before approaching a particular referee, or to contact them only under your circumstances (for example if we are calling you for a interview, or if we have made you a conditional offer), you must state this explicitly alongside the details of the relevant referee(s).

Your appointment will be subject to (i) the return of a completed medical questionnaire which is acceptable to the University, (ii) the provision of original documentation which indicates your right to work in the UK, and (iii) the completion of an initial probationary period of 6 months.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive it will only be possible for us to contact those who have successfully been shortlisted to attend interview.

Equal opportunities at the University of Oxford

As an Equal Opportunity employer, we positively encourage applications from people of different backgrounds. All our jobs are filled in line with our equal opportunities code of practice, which helps us make sure that men and women, people of different races, and those with disabilities are all treated fairly.

If you have any questions about equal opportunities at the University of Oxford, please visit our website at

General Responsibilities

To participate and support public engagement activities on behalf of the Centre, working with the Centre’s Public Engagement and Communications Officer. This is anticipated to be around 2 days per year.

Data Protection

All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purpose of determining their suitability for the post, and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the University’s Data Protection Policy.