Post-doc position with a focus on protein biophysics, ligand interactions and structural biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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Postdoctoral researcher positions are available at the Department of Neuroscience at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden for motivated young researchers wishing to join a multidisciplinary project with critical next steps to understand and to modulate novel mechanisms of neuroendocrine signaling in the hypothalamus and pancreas. The research project is supported by a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Nordic Neuroendocrine Program for the next 2 years.

Division

During the recent past, our laboratory has discovered novel members of the exocytosis release machinery for the stress hormone, CRH, as well as for insulin. Our work has particularly focused on a novel class of calcium-sensor proteins, their localization, biochemical characterization, typifying of their protein-protein interactions and the structural investigation of the protein-complexes. Herewith, postdoctoral fellows are recruited to take the project forward to analyze, on the one hand, in genetic models how these proteins program hormone release and, on the other, define strategies to pharmacologically inhibit their action. Relevant literature includes: Malenczyk K. et al. EMBO J. PMID:28637794; Romanov RA. et al. EMBO J. PMID:25430741, Fuzik J et al. PNAS PMID: 31796600 and Malenczyk K. et al. Mol Metab. PMID: 29910119). Understanding these checkpoints of hormone release are expected to provide means to modulate stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and diabetes.

Post-doc position with a focus on protein biophysics, ligand interactions and structural biology:

The candidate will be expected to produce recombinant proteins and to identify and characterize protein-protein interactions, determine their biochemical and biophysical characteristics and study these in a biological context. Considering that drug-like small molecules interfering with these very protein-protein interactions are being developed, characterization of their binding specificity, affinity, and the structural basis of their binding by X-ray crystallography will be an important part of the work.

Duties

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in a field of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics or structural biology. Documented expertise in characterizing protein-protein and protein-small molecule interactions and/or X-ray crystallography will be considered an advantage. The successful candidate will be expected to establish heterologous protein expression, carry out large scale protein purification, characterize the interactions of proteins and their ligands in vitro, and participate in structural studies aimed to determine on how protein partners interact. Outstanding communication skills and an ability to interact socially and scientifically within a multinational team in the laboratory, and with collaborators around Europe and overseas in excellence networks will be considered essential. Top-tier publications in any relevant field will be seen as a priority during the selection process.

Entry requirements

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: Stockholm (Solna)

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.

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