Salary range £28,280 to £34,778 dependent on experience.
Closing Date: 11th February 2011An exciting postdoc opportunity has become available to investigate the molecular nature of sperm-egg recognition at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge UK. The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is a world leader in genomic research, with an expanding scientific programme dedicated to understanding gene function in health & disease. The cell surface signalling laboratory has developed new large-scale protein-based technologies to identify novel extracellular receptor-ligand interactions important for cellular recognition processes. We have begun to apply this technology to systematically identify the receptor-ligand interactions involved in sperm-egg recognition which are important for mammalian fertilization and which could form the basis of novel contraceptives and fertility treatments. The project will involve screening existing recombinant protein libraries that contain the repertoire of mouse sperm and egg cell surface receptors for novel interactions. Candidate interactions will then be functionally tested by in vitro fertilization assays. Essential Skills
We are inviting applications from highly motivated individuals who hold a PhD in a related biological discipline and have experience working with preimplantation mouse embryos or in vitro fertilization. Ideal Skills
Experience in recombinant protein expression would be highly desirable.
Experience in mammalian cell culture would be an advantage. Other information
Enquiries regarding the position and project are welcome and should be addressed to Gavin Wright ([url=mailto:gw2@sanger.ac.uk]
gw2@sanger.ac.uk[/url]
). Postdoctoral Fellows are typically in their first or second postdoctoral position as part of a period of early career research training. This position is available as a fixed term for 3 years. Successful applicant(s) who have submitted their PhD thesis and are awaiting their PhD award to be confirmed will be placed on a transitional pay point, currently £26,103. On confirmation applicants will be moved on to the pay scale above. Benefits
The Institute has excellent purpose built facilities on the Genome Campus, Hinxton on the outskirts of Cambridge. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits including a final salary pension scheme and excellent on-site facilities. Further details can be found on our website https://jobs.sanger.ac.uk, To submit your CV and apply for this job please go to https://jobs.sanger.ac.uk, to register and apply on line.] 
