Postdoctoral Research Associate in X-ray and neuron protein crystallography at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
Reference Code ORNL11-93-NSSD Eligibility Requirements Degree: Doctoral Degree received within 60 months or currently pursuing. Description The main research objective of this project is to re-engineer enzymes involved in the xylose sugar pathway to improve their activity and stability under conditions involved in the efficient production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass. This is a multi-task, multi-disciplinary effort involving molecular biology, X-ray and neutron crystallography, rational design using computer modeling techniques, and enzyme activity assays. The successful candidate for this position will be involved in the protein crystallography component of the project which will be based at the DOE BER funded Center for Structural Molecular Biology at ORNL. Specifically, the postdoc will optimize crystal growth crystallographic data collection. X-ray data will be collected using an in-house X-ray system and neutron data will be collected using neutron beam lines that are becoming available at the two world-leading neutron scattering facilities run by ORNL (HFIR and SNS). Protein structure refinement using both X-ray and neutron data will be carried out using CNS and PHENIX software packages. From the mechanistic insights arising from the crystallographic structures, specific amino acid residues will be targeted for mutagenesis. Model building studies will be used to predict consequences of mutating residues with varying sizes and charge properties and mutant proteins will be assayed for improved properties. Qualifications The successful candidate will have a PhD in protein crystallography or a related field and have experience in molecular biology techniques associated with plasmid-based expression systems, protein purification, and protein crystallization. Furthermore, the successful candidate will also have experience with crystallographic data collection and analysis, and protein structure determination and refinement. An ability to work in a collaborative team that includes molecular biologists, enzyme scientists, beam lines scientists, computational crystallographers, and collaborators from other institutes is essential. Please apply at https://www3.orau.gov/ORNL_TOppS/Posting/Details/155 For informal questions please contact Leighton Coates and Paul Langan at [email protected]
