--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Postdoctoral Research Fellow Druggability of Protein-Protein Interactions by Fragment-Based Methods ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applications are invited for a full-time postdoctoral research scientist at the University of Cambridge. Postdoc Job Description: We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow to join our laboratory. We are interested in developing novel fragment-based strategies to investigate the druggability of protein-protein interfaces with respect to modulation by small molecules, and implications for drug design. The project will involve applying a combination of protein engineering and biophysical and structural techniques to study protein-ligand and protein-protein molecular recognition, including protein X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and surface plasmon resonance. For a review and a recent example of our fragment-based approach see Curr. Opin. Biotech. 2007, 18(6), 489-496 and Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. in press, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.200903821. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join the Cambridge Molecular Therapeutics Programme (see http://www.cmtp.cam.ac.uk/CMTP_intro.html), an interdisciplinary initiative based at Cambridge to explore new strategies for the discovery and development of drugs against disease such as cancer and tuberculosis. The laboratories are exceptionally well equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for all aspects of modern chemical and structural biology. Qualifications: Successful candidates should have (or be about to receive) a PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or a related area. Experience in molecular biology, protein purification and with appropriate biophysical techniques is essential; some experience in synthetic organic chemistry would be advantageous. The ability to work in a creative, interdisciplinary and dynamic research environment at the interface of chemical biology and drug discovery is paramount. Good written and oral communication skills are essential. Procedure to Apply: Please send your CV, publications list, and contact details for three professional referees to Dr Alessio Ciulli, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW (email: [email protected]). Further information can be found at http://www.ch.cam.ac.uk/staff/ac.html. Vacancy Reference No: MA05715. The post is available from 1st January 2010, for up to 5 years in the first instance.
