Researcher in biochemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

A position as a researcher in biochemistry is available in Chemistry BMC

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Department of Chemistry – BMC conducts research and education in analytical chemistry, biochemistry and organic chemistry. More than 100 people work at the department. New employees and students are recruited from all over the world and English is the main working language. The department is located at the Biomedical Centre in Uppsala, which facilitates collaborations with research groups in biology, pharmacy, medicine and SciLifeLab and gives access to advanced infrastructure for experimental and theoretical studies. You can find more information about us here.

The research in biochemistry is focused on issues concerning catalysis, molecular recognition and the structure and dynamics of complex molecular systems, as well as the relationship between the presence of chemical substances and biomolecules in various disease states. It also includes the design and synthesis of small organic molecules and biological macromolecules. Method and technology development is a strength and development of new biochemical, analytical and biophysical methods brings together advanced research in biological systems and its regulation as well as how diseases can be diagnosed and treated. Researchers with specialist expertise in biophysical methods for interaction analysis operates within SciLifeLab that is a part of a national infrastructure for research in life sciences.

The project aims to developing new therapeutic strategies based on the discovery of ZC3 - a stress-induced protein required for effective virus growth. It is funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and carried out in a team consisting of several research groups with complementary expertise within Uppsala University. The protein of interest is a nuclear RNA-binding zinc finger protein involved in the export of mRNA. The specific goal of our research team is to develop and evaluate ZC3 function modulators and their therapeutic potential for the treatment of viral infections and cancer.

Duties
The researcher will work within a project that requires recombinant production of ZC3 in a form that is suitable for biochemical and biophysical studies. The research will focus on structural determination and studies of interactions between the protein and other biomolecules and organic compounds, including screening of substance libraries. The work will be performed using different types of molecular biological, biochemical and biophysical methods, especially biosensor analyzes and X-ray crystallography.

Requirements
To qualify for an employment as a researcher you must have a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in biochemistry.

The applicant must have a documented and broad competence in basic biochemical methodology, especially protein chemistry. You need to master molecular biological work and have a very good ability to use bacteria and insect cells to produce proteins in various forms, suitable for biochemical work. Experience in the production of proteins in human cells and in yeast or fungi is required. The applicant need to be able to purify recombinantly produced proteins to a very high degree of purity and in stable form, even from proteins with unstructured regions, and to master X-ray crystallography, biosensor analyzes and other advanced biochemical, analytical and biophysical methods for the characterization of proteins and their interactions with other proteins and small organic molecules. Experience of working in drug development projects is an advantage and a good understanding of drug development is required.

We emphasize the importance of personal suitability for this position. You must be highly motivated to carry out the work of the project and to be able to work independently. This project requires that that you have excellent collaborative skills, as the project will require that you are able to cooperate with scientists from other research groups, departments and universities. You must be organized and systematic in your lab work, so that laboratories and instruments are kept clean and in good condition. You will be expected to contribute to project management at all levels and have the skills required for a good work environment. Candidates must be able to express themselves very well in spoken as well as written English, to be able
to interact and communicate efficiently with collaborators, and publish internationally.

Additional qualifications
Experience of biochemical studies of zinc finger proteins and proteins with structurally disordered regions will be consitered as an advantage.

About the employment
The employment is a  temporary position, 12 months. Scope of employment 10 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Helena Danielson, helena.danielson@kemi.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 29 January 2022, UFV-PA 2021/5137.

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