[ccp4bb] post-doctoral position and PhD position structural biology of ion channels

[Chris Ulens]

A post-doctoral position and PhD position are available at the laboratory of 
Structural Neurobiology, KU Leuven Belgium. The lab website is available at 
http://www.xtal.be . The research in our laboratory is 
aimed at understanding the molecular mechanism of ligand-gated ion channels. 
Our method relies on X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM in combination with 
electrophysiological recordings and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our laboratory 
hosts an integrated macromolecular crystallization facility with a Mosquito 
crystallization robot and two RockImagers. Current structural targets include 
the family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (Cys-loop receptors), TRP 
channels and CNG channels.

We would like to recruit a post-doc and/or PhD student with prior experience in 
expression, purification and crystallization of membrane proteins. Prior 
experience with X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM is considered a major 
advantage.

The successful candidate:
- easily communicates in an open verbal manner and has a team player spirit
- has an ambitious work ethic
- critically contributes to writing of manuscripts and grant proposals
- makes efforts to obtain independent funding
- meets intermediate deadlines and brings projects to a successful end
- fuels internal discussions of recent publications in the field
- sets an example to younger PhD students in the lab
- identifies directions for future scientific research

The position is open immediately and applications will be accepted until the 
position is filled. Applicants are requested to submit a CV with publication 
list and two references. E-mail to chris.ul...@kuleuven.be 


Selected lab publications:

Molecular blueprint of allosteric binding sites in a homologue of the 
agonist-binding domain of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Spurny R, 
Debaveye S, Farinha A, Veys K, Vos AM, Gossas T, Atack J, Bertrand S, Bertrand 
D, Danielson UH, Tresadern G, Ulens C.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 May 12;112(19):E2543-52.

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channel ELIC is activated by GABA and modulated by 
benzodiazepines. Spurny R, Ramerstorfer J, Price K, Brams M, Ernst M, Nury H, 
Verheij M, Legrand P, Bertrand D, Bertrand S, Dougherty DA, de Esch IJ, 
Corringer PJ, Sieghart W, Lummis SC, Ulens C. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 
Oct 30;109(44):E3028-34.

A structural and mutagenic blueprint for molecular recognition of strychnine 
and d-tubocurarine by different cys-loop receptors. Brams M, Pandya A, Kuzmin 
D, van Elk R, Krijnen L, Yakel JL, Tsetlin V, Smit AB, Ulens C.
PLoS Biol. 2011 Mar;9(3):e1001034.

Re: [ccp4bb] post-doctoral position and PhD position structural biology of ion channels

[Chris Ulens]

A post-doctoral position and PhD position are available at the laboratory of 
Structural Neurobiology, KU Leuven Belgium. The lab website is available at 
http://www.xtal.be. The research in our laboratory is aimed at understanding 
the molecular mechanism of ligand-gated ion channels. Our method relies on 
X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM in combination with electrophysiological 
recordings and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our laboratory hosts an integrated 
macromolecular crystallization facility with a Mosquito crystallization robot 
and two RockImagers. Current structural targets include the family of 
pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (Cys-loop receptors), TRP channels and CNG 
channels.

We would like to recruit a post-doc and/or PhD student with prior experience in 
_expression_, purification and crystallization of membrane proteins. Prior 
experience with X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM is considered a major 
advantage.

The successful candidate:
- easily communicates in an open verbal manner and has a team player spirit
- has an ambitious work ethic
- critically contributes to writing of manuscripts and grant proposals
- makes efforts to obtain independent funding
- meets intermediate deadlines and brings projects to a successful end
- fuels internal discussions of recent publications in the field
- sets an example to younger PhD students in the lab
- identifies directions for future scientific research

The position is open immediately and applications will be accepted until the 
position is filled. Applicants are requested to submit a CV with publication 
list and two references. E-mail to chris.ul...@kuleuven.be

Selected lab publications:

Molecular blueprint of allosteric binding sites in a homologue of the 
agonist-binding domain of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Spurny R, 
Debaveye S, Farinha A, Veys K, Vos AM, Gossas T, Atack J, Bertrand S, Bertrand 
D, Danielson UH, Tresadern G, Ulens C.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 May 12;112(19):E2543-52.

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channel ELIC is activated by GABA and modulated by 
benzodiazepines. Spurny R, Ramerstorfer J, Price K, Brams M, Ernst M, Nury H, 
Verheij M, Legrand P, Bertrand D, Bertrand S, Dougherty DA, de Esch IJ, 
Corringer PJ, Sieghart W, Lummis SC, Ulens C. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 
Oct 30;109(44):E3028-34.

A structural and mutagenic blueprint for molecular recognition of strychnine 
and d-tubocurarine by different cys-loop receptors. Brams M, Pandya A, Kuzmin 
D, van Elk R, Krijnen L, Yakel JL, Tsetlin V, Smit AB, Ulens C.
PLoS Biol. 2011 Mar;9(3):e1001034.

Re: [ccp4bb] post-doctoral position and PhD position structural biology of ion channels

[Chris Ulens]

A post-doctoral position and PhD position are available at the laboratory of 
Structural Neurobiology, KU Leuven Belgium. The lab website is available at 
http://www.xtal.be. The research in our laboratory is aimed at understanding 
the molecular mechanism of ligand-gated ion channels. Our method relies on 
X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM in combination with electrophysiological 
recordings and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our laboratory hosts an integrated 
macromolecular crystallization facility with a Mosquito crystallization robot 
and two RockImagers. Current structural targets include the family of 
pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (Cys-loop receptors), TRP channels and CNG 
channels.

We would like to recruit a post-doc and/or PhD student with prior experience in 
expression, purification and crystallization of membrane proteins. Prior 
experience with X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM is considered a major 
advantage.

The successful candidate:
- easily communicates in an open verbal manner and has a team player spirit
- has an ambitious work ethic
- critically contributes to writing of manuscripts and grant proposals
- makes efforts to obtain independent funding
- meets intermediate deadlines and brings projects to a successful end
- fuels internal discussions of recent publications in the field
- sets an example to younger PhD students in the lab
- identifies directions for future scientific research

The position is open immediately and applications will be accepted until the 
position is filled. Applicants are requested to submit a CV with publication 
list and two references. E-mail to chris.ul...@kuleuven.be

Selected lab publications:

Molecular blueprint of allosteric binding sites in a homologue of the 
agonist-binding domain of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Spurny R, 
Debaveye S, Farinha A, Veys K, Vos AM, Gossas T, Atack J, Bertrand S, Bertrand 
D, Danielson UH, Tresadern G, Ulens C.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 May 12;112(19):E2543-52.

Pentameric ligand-gated ion channel ELIC is activated by GABA and modulated by 
benzodiazepines. Spurny R, Ramerstorfer J, Price K, Brams M, Ernst M, Nury H, 
Verheij M, Legrand P, Bertrand D, Bertrand S, Dougherty DA, de Esch IJ, 
Corringer PJ, Sieghart W, Lummis SC, Ulens C. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 
Oct 30;109(44):E3028-34.

A structural and mutagenic blueprint for molecular recognition of strychnine 
and d-tubocurarine by different cys-loop receptors. Brams M, Pandya A, Kuzmin 
D, van Elk R, Krijnen L, Yakel JL, Tsetlin V, Smit AB, Ulens C.
PLoS Biol. 2011 Mar;9(3):e1001034.