Postdoctoral Research Assistant - MRC PPU - UOD1589

We are looking for an exceptional Postdoctoral Research Fellow with strong Cell and Molecular Biology experience to join the Sapkota Lab to work on an exciting & innovative industry-academia collaborative project aimed at targeting membrane receptor and extracellular proteins for degradation through induced-proximity platforms. The field of targeted protein degradation, for example through PROTACs and molecular glue degraders, is emerging as an exciting new modality for research and therapeutics. The fellow will be based in the Sapkota lab (MRC-PPU, School of Life Sciences) and will work in close collaboration with teams at a leading international pharmaceutical company, which is funding this exciting interdisciplinary project. The Sapkota lab has developed several induced-proximity platforms for targeted protein degradation, phosphorylation, and dephosphorylation of intracellular proteins. This project seeks innovative approaches to push the boundaries to achieve proximity-induced degradation of cell membrane and extracellular proteins. This is a unique opportunity to gain experience in world-leading, collaborative and cutting-edge research in one of the hottest areas of modern translational chemical biology and drug discovery. The successful candidate would also be part of an early-stage academia-industry partnership that has exciting prospects for the future. The Sapkota Lab has an outstanding track-record of working with leading pharmaceutical industries, and Prof. Sapkota was recently recognized with the Biochemical Society 2025 Industry and Academic Collaboration Award.

For details of the Sapkota lab research, please visit https://sites.dundee.ac.uk/sapkota-lab/.

For more information, please contact Gopal Sapkota (gsapkota@dundee.ac.uk).

Your priorities will include:

• Project development and implementation of the project in collaboration with the project team that includes the participating pharmaceutical company.
• Development of tools (constructs, cell lines, assays) to monitor receptors and extracellular proteins.
• Performing specificity of degradation and mode of action studies using proteomic approaches.
• Presenting progress reports to the project team every two weeks.
• Discussing scientific work at internal meetings, meetings with DSTT industrial partners and at conferences.

Who we're looking for:

• PhD with an outstanding track record and at least one first-authored publication in an internationally recognised peer-reviewed journal.
• Strong background in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and signal transduction, with expertise in ubiquitin signalling and autophagy is desirable.
• Strong background in targeted protein degradation modalities is desirable.
• Capable of working in a diverse team, but able to plan and work independently.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English.

We are one of the UK's leading universities, internationally recognised for our expertise across a range of disciplines and research breakthroughs in multiple areas, including science, medicine and engineering, amongst many others. Our purpose is to transform lives, locally and globally, which we do as a community of staff (Professional Services and academic Schools), students and alumni. Professional Services directorates are key to delivering the University strategy and driving change across the University.

For further information about this position please contact Gopal Sapkota at g.sapkota@dundee.ac.uk.

To find out more about MRC PPU please visit https://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/ As an internationally diverse institution, we welcome job applicants from all countries and nationalities. The School of Life Sciences is proud to employ staff from over 40 different nations.