Job Description
Position Details
School of Biosciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2028
2 positions available
Closing date: 27th July 2025
Background
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) enables the spread of pathogenicity genes between microbes and can therefore drive the emergence of novel diseases
. In pathogenic fungi, an emerging global threat to both humans and our crops, the mechanisms that facilitate HGT remain unknown. Recent work has uncovered a novel group of giant transposons called Starships, which have moved virulence, metal tolerance and other fitness associated genes horizontally between fungal species. These post-doctoral positions are focused on the plant pathogenic fungi,
Bipolaris sorokiniana, Parastagonospora nodorum and
Pyrenophora tritici-repentis that all carry the fungal virulence gene
ToxA. This virulence gene has been captured independently by two different Starship transposons, Sanctuary and Horizon. We seek to understand the mechanistic basis of Starship mediated HGT using these global wheat pathogens as a model system.
There are
two post-doctoral research positions and one PhD studentship associated with Dr. McDonald’s UKRI Future Leader Fellowship, which will explore the cell biology, biochemistry and evolution of the Starship transposons in plant pathogenic fungi. We are seeking creative and ambitious scientists to lead any of the three following research themes:
- Starship diversity and evolution within the Dothideomycetes: Applicants in this theme will have expertise in fungal comparative genomics and/or transposon biology. Specific skills include de novo genome assembly, gene and transposon annotation, phylogenomics. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in coding and analyses through open-access repositories (github or zenodo). This project will expand the lab existing genome sequence data for fungal plant pathogens within the Dothideomycete family. The lab has an existing fungal collection of over 40 strains collected from wheat, wild-grasses and barley. Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic in expanding this work further through field and herbarium collections.
- Cell biology of Starship transposons: Applicants in this theme will have expertise in cell biology, confocal/super-resolution microscopy or flow cytometry and be capable of learning techniques required for the genetic transformation of filamentous fungi. Candidates coming from model organisms, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Neurospora, or Aspergillus are especially encouraged to apply. This project will establish a set of reporter strains in both the native fungal species and in S. cerevisiae to explore Starship translocation and localisation in live fungal cells.
- Structural Biology and biochemistry of Captain transposases: These transposases are the enzymes responsible for mobilising Starships within fungal genomes. The transposase belongs to a conserved family of DUF3435 proteins and contains a Tyrosine recombinase domain. Structural modelling within the lab indicates that its closest characterised homolog is the Cre-recombinase family. This project aims to establish a novel set of biochemical assays to study the Captain’s ability to bind DNA and the affinity for specific sequences and to test in what capacity these enzymes can be engineered for new functions. Prior experience with heterologous protein expression and purification, is required for candidates under this theme.
Applications should include a CV and a Cover Letter. The cover letter should explicitly state which of the three themes the candidate would like to work under and detail their technical skills that qualify them for that role with examples from their past work. Candidates should also highlight in the cover letter how they might interact or support work in one of the other two themes.
The two post-doctoral fellows are expected to work as a close-knit team together with three PhD students to create a mutually supportive research environment. Candidates must be enthusiastic about building and working in a large interdisciplinary team. These positions supported by a generous consumables budget associated with the Fellowship and mentorship of several structural biology focused groups within the School of Biosciences. The Fellowship also support generous international conference travel and an EMBO training workshop. The McDonald lab is situated within the Institute of Microbiology and Infection and Plant Sciences within the School of Biosciences. We are highly encouraging of collaborative interactions between groups.
Role Summary
- Applicants will have a PhD in Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Structural Biology or Synthetic Biology, Molecular Plant Pathology, Comparative Genomics, Transposon Biology, Cell biology, or Related Field
- Applicants will have a track-record of scientific output including peer-reviewed publications, or if a recent graduate pre-prints or papers under-review
- You will have a set of technical skills that match one of the three research themes and in your cover letter explicitly detail how you are qualified for the role
- Be enthusiastic about co-supervising students/trainees at all levels who will be appointed or have already been appointed to support the project
- Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences
- You will be encouraged to apply for independent grants, Fellowships to establish your own track-record in funding and establish independence with support from Dr. McDonald and/or a wider local community.
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not limited to the responsibilities outlined below.
- Work collaboratively with all lab members to build a new experimental system to study transposon movement
- Help build the expertise of the wider group and assist with implementation of new protocols and techniques, this may include purchasing of shared equipment and health/safety documentation
- Work collaboratively with other within the School of Biosciences
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
- Contribute to writing bids for research funding
- Analyse and interpret data
- Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
- Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
- Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
- Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
- Undertake management/administration arising from research
- Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
- Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
- Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
- Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the overall research and teaching within the group
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
Person Specification
- PhD (or near to completion) in Biochemistry, Protein Engineering, Structural Biology or Synthetic Biology, Molecular Plant Pathology, Comparative Genomics, Transposon Biology, Cell biology, or Related Field
- High level analytical capability
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
- Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
Informal enquiries to Megan McDonald, email:
[email protected]We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website . 
