Job Vacancy
ITN Marie Curie Action
PhD Researcher
Project Description
Mitochondrial European Educational Training (MEET) intends to educate a young generation of scientists in
mitochondrial medicine, to implement innovative technologies and integrated methodologies in the field of
mitochondrial pathophysiology. The programme of research will utilise cell and animal models to elucidate
disease mechanisms, with the aim of developing career pathways for researchers with knowledge of the
biological and medical components of the emerging discipline of mitochondrial medicine. MEET has
gathered centres of excellence in a unique network comprising clinical, industrial and basic research groups
covering the gamut of pathologies and drug development. MEET aims to produce skilled investigators with
proficiency in a broad portfolio of techniques and possessing expert knowledge of mitochondrial disease,
whom will be readily assimilated by health institutions, industry and Academia.
Applications are invited from talented and highly motivated European post-graduates with a Bachelor’s or
Master’s degree in the Life Sciences. The successful candidate will join two teams with a shared interest in
the molecular basis of mitochondrial diseases, working at the National Institute for Medical Research in
London. S/he will be appointed as an early stage researcher (ESR) and will be enrolled in the institute’s PhD
programme.
Project title: Manipulating segregation of human mitochondrial DNA
Project summary:Mitochondria contain their own DNA (mtDNA), which is essential for energy production.
Several mitochondrial diseases result from the disruption of mtDNA homeostasis and often patients carry a
mixture of mutant and normal mtDNA (a state knownasheteroplasmy). Positive selection
(biasedsegregation) ofmutantmtDNAoccurs in a number of celllines and tissues; however, the
molecularbasis of selectionisonlybeginning to be understood. The ESR will develop projects that aim to
identify proteins and signaling pathways that control the levels of mutant and normal mtDNA in cells and
tissues. The new knowledge will be used to design new compounds that act on proteins/signalling to induce
cells to select normal mtDNA and their efficacy will be investigated in human disease cell lines, in
collaboration with MEET’s industrial partner.
Tasks and methodology.
• Dissection of the signalling pathways between the nucleus and the mitochondria,
• Mitochondrial dynamics and turnover in living cells
• Transcriptome and bioinformatic analyses
• Mitochondrial DNA segregation in response to pharmacological agents.
The post comes with a generous remuneration package, including a mobility allowance. Applications and
informal inquiries should be addressed to Dr Spinazzola, [email protected].
Required Educational Level
The ESR must be in possession of a degree in biology, medicine, biotechnology or in any other life/natural
sciences disciplines.
Additional Requirements:
Skill: Communication skills
Specific Requirements:
List of training experiences abroad (e.g. Erasmus Project, mobility fellowship. Leonardo project.
Amgen scholarship)
List of certified/attested copies of all undergraduate level certificates indicating university grades.
We offer:
3-year employment contract at 38 000 euro/year + mobility allowance (€1000/month or €800/month)
A multidisciplinary, cross-cultural and competitive training programme in mitochondrial research.
Secondments and a targeted training programme
*Eligibility: The ESR must be in possession of a degree in biology, medicine, biotechnology or in any other
life/natural sciences disciplines.
Recruitment Procedure:
The applicant may be a national of a Member State, of an Associated Country or of any other Third Country.
The applicants must not have resided or carried out their activity (work, studies, etc) in the United
Kingdom for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her recruitment.
Selection criteria:
The applicants should be proficient in written and spoken English with an ELTS score of 6.5, or equivalent.
First selection step: detailed curriculum vitae and at least 2 references letters
Second selection step: Interview (Skype Conference or phone Interview) with candidates.
Evaluation period.