Structural Biologist, Drug Discovery Unit, University of Dundee
The Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee is a £15 million
initiative to tackle neglected diseases and to develop novel drug
targets (http://www.drugdiscovery.dundee.ac.uk/). The Unit is in new and
well equipped laboratories in the Biocentre at Dundee, a world-renowned
centre for biomedical research including outstanding biology,
biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, hit discovery,
medicinal and computational chemistry, bioinformatics and proteomics
groups collaborating on translational research projects
(http://www.dundee.ac.uk/biocentre/).
The aim of the Unit, the first of its kind in Europe, is to translate
basic research discoveries into candidate drugs ready for clinical
trials. The Unit combines drug discovery expertise recruited from
Biotech/Pharma with world-class basic research in a number of disease
areas.
The appointee will work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team to aid us
in our structure-based drug design efforts to identify cures for
neglected diseases such as African sleeping sickness. Your main task
will be the determination of high-resolution, three-dimensional
structures of proteins, covering both de novo structures and
protein-ligand complexes. Also, you will assist in exploiting the
structural data you generate in the structure-based drug design cycle in
close collaboration with computational and medicinal chemists.
The position requires a Ph.D. in structural biology, or life sciences
with relevant postdoctoral structural biology experience, preferably in
a drug discovery environment. Extensive experience using
state-of-the-art crystallographic methods and tools is a must, as is
demonstrated creativity in developing rapid solutions to complex
research problems. You should have excellent verbal and written
communication skills and the ability to work in large, multidisciplinary
project-teams. The successful candidate will also have experience in
experimental phasing and protein purification/molecular biology.
Additional experience of computational chemistry is desirable.
The post represents a unique opportunity to help create a drug discovery
unit within an academic setting. The posts will be available from 1st
March 2007 for 2 years in the first instance. Salary will depend on
experience, and will be competitive with those found in the Pharma sector.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Paul Wyatt, email
([EMAIL PROTECTED]). (DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO THIS ADDRESS).
Applications in the form of a CV and covering letter (2 copies of each),
including the names and addresses of 3 referees,
should be sent to Human Resources, College of Life Sciences, JBC/MSI/WTB
Complex, University of Dundee DD1 5EH.
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] quoting the reference number Ref:
LS/1621/NS. Closing date: 16 February 2007.
Applicants will only be contacted if invited for interview.
The University of Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and
welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
