We are looking for a passionate, intellectually curious, and creative postdoctoral research associate with a strong interest in stem cells and tissue regeneration to join our lab.

The Patel lab at the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol studies how tissues regenerate themselves after damage.

To better understand this process, we use the adult Drosophila intestine (or midgut), which has many similarities to our own intestine. Upon injury, the adult fly midgut regenerates itself by replacing damaged and lost cells via rapid intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation. One potential mechanism that may govern how midguts sense and respond to tissue damage is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which have been shown to play an essential role in whole body, appendage, and tissue regeneration in various organisms. Likewise, in adult fly midguts, ROS production also promotes ISC-mediated regeneration. Downstream effectors of this process include ROS-mediated Ask1-p38 stress signalling activation in damaged enterocytes, which in turn stimulates production of an ISC mitogen (Patel et al., 2019; Nat Comms, PMID: 31554796). This mechanism, however, only partially accounts for the role of ROS production in midgut regeneration.

We are now using genetic, proteomic and transcriptomic approaches to determine how damaged midguts respond to ROS and how ROS promote adult fly midgut regeneration. Over the last two years, we have established several exciting projects making it an exciting time to join our lab. Our work will have far-reaching impact on our understanding of regeneration in many contexts and may help develop therapies for tissue regeneration, inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Our lab is generously funded by the Wellcome Trust, and you will have access to top-notch core facilities (e.g., proteomics, transcriptomics, flow cytometry and imaging) for your work, travel funds to attend conferences and access to staff development courses.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree and PhD (awarded or soon to be awarded) in life sciences or in a related subject. Prior experience with Drosophila genetics, molecular biology, microscopy, proteomics, transcriptomics, flow cytometry or bioinformatics is a plus but not essential.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter (2 pages max), which includes: a) a description of your most important research contributions, why your research is important and what impact it has had, b) a statement of your research interests and career aspirations and c) an explanation of why you think our lab is the best environment for your postdoctoral training.

The full-time appointment is available immediately (flexible start) and will be for 1 year with the possibility of extension for 2-3 more years (3-4 years total).

Non-UK candidates will be provided a guaranteed endorsement to apply for a high-priority UK visa. Information about reimbursement of immigration and relocation costs can be found at: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/relocation-support. NHS surcharges will be too reimbursed.

We welcome applications from around the world and from under-represented individuals in science.

Starting salary will be commensurate with experience (£34,304-38,587, approx. £2249-2492 (2660-2947€)/ month). We also offer a generous pension scheme.

For more information, please visit www.gutstresslab.org. Find us on Twitter @gutstresslab.

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