Project summary
We are seeking an ambitious Project Research Scientist to join a close collaboration with the group of Dr. Teresa Thurston, Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, to study the mechanism by which bacterial virulence proteins (effectors) interfere with host cell signalling and immune responses. This project is focussed on the effector SteE from Salmonella, which induces an amino acid and substrate switch in the host serine/threonine kinase GSK3 to drive macrophage polarisation and alter the host inflammatory response. Using a broad range of structural and biophysical techniques you will determine the underlying mechanism and structural changes required to drive this unprecedented switch in substrate specificity of a kinase and investigate if this mechanism might be conserved across species. The successful candidate will be located primarily at the Crick and will have access to excellent state-of-the-art facilities but will work in close collaboration with the Thurston group and a newly appointed postdoc at Imperial College who will study the cellular functions of SteE and its effects on the host metabolome. This is an ideal opportunity for a structural biologist to gain experience in cell biology and infection studies and work in an established collaboration and multi-disciplinary team across the Crick and Imperial College.
Postdoctoral Scientists are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team is essential.
The Research Group
Rittinger lab
Our group is interested in the role of protein ubiquitination in the regulation of cell signalling, especially during immune and inflammatory signalling. In parallel, we are investigating the mechanisms by which bacterial and viral pathogens interfere with host cell signalling pathways to suppress the host immune response and create a niche for their survival. We are employing a broad array of structural, biochemical and biophysical approaches to gain insight into the protein-protein interactions and regulatory mechanism that drive these processes. Furthermore, we apply chemical biology approaches to develop chemical tools to support our work.
Further information about the group can be found at:
https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/labs/katrin-rittinger
Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:
Essential
Desirable