PDRA in Cellular Glycobiology

Glycans are the least understood biological macromolecule family. Investigation of mammalian glycan functions is often hampered by our inability to incisively change glycan structures generated in the cells and biomolecules under study. This research project aims to develop a new in vivo glycan engineering method that will allow custom shaping of the glycan structures during biosynthesis akin to protein mutagenesis. You will be performing inhibition studies on cultured mammalian cells using custom made glycosylation inhibitors supplied by chemists and collaborating with analytical scientists and computational biologists to make in vivo glycan engineering a reality. The experiments will involve the use of both wild type and mutant versions of human cell lines and include both imaging and biochemical methods to characterise effects of the glycosylation inhibitors. You will work closely with a computational biologist postdoc in York to plan inhibitory regimes and with an analytical
scientist in Oslo to generate input data for computational modelling.
You will be highly motivated to plan and perform the experiments best fitting into the interdisciplinary programme of work. You will be able to analyse and interpret results to progress the experimental research strand in York and will have excellent communication skills to liaise with the different team members across the UK and Europe. Good communication with other members of the Cell Biology lab as well as the Computational Biology group in York will be essential for success of the project.

The Department of Biology is looking to appoint an enthusiastic postdoctoral research associate to join the team of Professors Daniel Ungar and Jamie Wood. You will drive forward the experimental strand of an EU funded project in York. You will collaborate with a computational postdoc in York and several other colleagues in the UK and Europe, to develop an innovative in vivo glycan engineering technology. The work will be carried out at the Cell Biology lab in York, which hosts about 25 early career scientists in six research groups and will make full use of state-of-the-art equipment in the Bioscience Technology Facility. The post is available full-time from 1 March 2025 for a period of 32 months with the possibility of a short extension., You will have an interest in glycobiology and technical skills in molecular cell biology required for the project, but some training in specialist skills will be provided. Good communication skills as well as experimental planning and data analysis skills are essential. Experience working on an interdisciplinary project is a distinct advantage.

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