Postdoctoral researcher in Computational Biochemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

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.

We offer a stimulating, friendly, and interdisciplinary work environment, excellent working conditions, frontier research projects in computational biochemistry, and the opportunity to contribute with and develop your ideas.

We are working in international teams and flexible working hours and home office options, adequate remuneration.

Moreover, the candidate will be mainly involved in an EU project, iSenseDNA, funded in the framework of the EIC-pathfinder Open of Horizon Europe.

Project description
Together with the international and multidisciplinary team of researchers, iSenseDNA aims to develop DNA-nanotransducers, by exploiting the activity of engineered topoisomerases. The tailor-made DNA-nanotransducers will be exploited for both detection and conformational analysis of molecular dynamics in one functional unit. iSenseDNA will use bioinformatics approaches to predict the 3D structure of conformational states modeling real-time evolution of interacting DNA-NT and proteins, and machine learning (ML) models to directly link the atomistic structure, conformational state, and dynamics, together with the optical assessment of protein-DNA-NT interaction using linear and “On-chip” non-linear spectroscopies for detecting the vibrational signatures of organic molecular systems, and recognizing the structural changes in the optical signal in real-time. Our group, with the expertise in enzyme evolution, and structure-function-dynamics relationships in biomolecular systems, will focus on the computational modeling of topoisomerases to develop a ‘next-generation class of enzymes’ to produce tailor-made DNA-NT and study the dynamic of interaction proteins-DNA-NT, using a wide range of computational techniques, including molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations, and various enhanced sampling approaches. 

More details about the project will be disclosed upon request.

If you want to read more about the project and the group follow these ‘links’  https://www.isensedna.eu and https://kamerlinlab.com

Duties
The position is full-time research. From a scientific perspective, this position will involve computational integration of simulation and experimental data using a range of molecular simulation tools, including both conventional and enhanced molecular dynamics simulations, empirical valence bond, and QM/MM simulations, free energy calculations to propose single or multiple point mutations, as well as bioinformatics tools for structural prediction. It will also include travels to conferences and project meetings with project partners, and participation in outreach project activities. You are encouraged to take responsibility for the execution of your project and to contribute creatively to our team’s research program.

Requirements
Doctor's degree in a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctor's degree in a relevant subject such as computational chemistry, computational biology, biological physics, or similar.  The degree must be fulfilled at the latest at the time when the employment decision is made. Primarily, those who have completed their degree no more than three years ago should be considered. The starting point is the application deadline when calculating the framework period of three years. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, etc.

Moreover, we attach great importance to personal qualities such as creativity, enthusiasm, flexibility, and a positive attitude to work in a team. The applicant will be responsible for a part of a large and challenging project, and the ability to work independently and to take responsibility will be required.

Candidates must be able to express themselves very well in spoken as well as written English.

Additional qualifications
Either (1) experience in modeling enzyme reaction mechanisms and/or enzyme function-dynamics relationships, in the context of understanding enzyme evolution or for biocatalytic applications, and modeling enzyme and protein-DNA interaction or (2) experience in using enhanced sampling approaches (such as replica exchange or metadynamics) to study biomolecular systems, with particular preference given to studies of the role of conformational dynamics in enzyme engineering or evolution are considered a plus.

Note that attention will be paid to not just overall scientific achievements, but scientific achievements relative to career stage and years of research experience.

All qualifying requirements will be assessed by interview and personal references.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to the central collective agreement. Scope of employment 100%. Preferable starting date ASAP or as mutually agreed. Placement: Department of Chemistry – BMC, Uppsala University

For further information about the position, please contact: 
Antonietta Parracino and Mikeal Widersten
E-mail: antonietta.parracino@kemi.uu.se, Telephone: +4670-01679430, +4618-471 5697.
E-mail: Mikael.Widersten@kemi.uu.se, Telephone: +460736951863 +46018471 4992

Please submit your application by January 30th 2023, UFV-PA 2022/5014

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.