Applications are invited from highly motivated, creative and committed candidate to the above role to investigate, and disseminate findings on a project funded by the BBSRC entitled Molecular and Cellular Dissection of Kinesin motor in Plasmodium in the group led by Professor Rita Tewari https://tewarilab.co.uk/.

Kinesin are microtubule-based, ATP-dependent molecular motors involved in cell proliferation and division function in model eukaryotes but not much is known about their localisation or function in an unusual cell division process in Malaria parasite. The major aim of the project is to dissect out the molecular and cellular aspect of the Plasmodium kinesins in parasite cell division. This project will be done in close ollaboration with the group of Prof Carolyn Moores at Birbeck College, Univerisity of London (http://www.bbk.ac.uk/biology/our-staff/academic/carolyn-moores), an expert in Structural Biology of kinesins and who will be providing important structural biology and biochemistry component to the project.

The main emphasis of the research fellow based at Nottingham will involve functional screen of Plasmodium kinesins in deciphering and understanding molecular motors involvement in atypical cell division in malaria parasite function using rodent malaria model system Plasmodium berghei. The work involves gene targeting, parasite development in the host and mosquito vector. cell biology and proteomics approaches to study kinesin-protein interactions and motor complexes involved in atypical parasite proliferation.

Candidates must hold a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant subject area – molecular parasitology, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology or related area and have relevant publications to the post.

This full-time fixed-term post must start by 1 November 2016 and will be offered until 31 October 2018.

The School of Life Sciences was recently awarded an Athena Silver SWAN Award, in recognition of our commitment to supporting and advancing women’s careers in the life sciences (STEMM). You can read more about this initiative at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/life-sciences/documents/athena-swan-silver-award.pdf

Professor Tewari is open to being contacted to discuss the role further prior to applications being submitted. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Rita Tewari, tel: 0115 823036 or email . Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

The University of Nottingham is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Closing Date: 24 Aug 2016