Research Assistant in protein biochemistry at Department of Biomedical Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The Autzen Group is hiring a research assistant in membrane protein biochemistry in a 10-month position at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark. The position is set to start 1st of March 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is part of the Project “Bioscience Accelerated by Native Nanodiscs” funded by the Innovation Found Denmark, working towards commercialization of an invention developed in the Autzen Group at UCPH and the Nanosmithery at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

We offer you

• An exciting and stimulating research project set in a creative, scientifically strong, and international academic research environment.
• An open and inclusive work and research environment with dedicated colleagues.
• Room for personal and professional development.

Our group and research

The research assistant will join the Autzen Group and work closely with the Nanosmithery at DTU, which together are focused on developing new polymeric tools for studying membrane proteins. For this, we use polymer chemistry, in combination with structural biology, and biochemical, biophysical, pharmacological, and cellular assays for functional characterization.

The Autzen Group consists of seven full-time members (2 postdocs, 3 PhD students, 2 MSc students) and is part of the theme in Molecular and Translational Pharmacology at the Department of Biomedical Sciences. You can read more about the Autzen Group here: Autzen Group - BMI

The Nanosmithery at DTU Health Tech consists of three full time members (3 PhD students). You can read more about the Nanosmithery here Nanosmithery - DTU Health Tech

Both of our groups are built on community, trust, openness, honesty, and solidarity and strives to embody the scientific method, objectivity, and reproducibility. We value open science, knowledge and data sharing and science communication to a wider audience, ultimately bridging the gap between society and research.

Project description

Membrane proteins are critical in health and disease. While they roughly make up 20% of the human proteome, it is estimated that membrane proteins constitute more than 60% of drug targets in use today. Our vision is to remove the bottleneck that using detergents imposes on membrane protein research with potentially revolutionizing effects on the downstream application areas, allowing for a better, faster, and cheaper protein extraction than detergents. We have developed a series of polymers that enable purification of membrane proteins in so-called “native nanodiscs”. In this project, you will work develop a datasheet to allow for manufacturing and marketing of our most recent polymer, ultimately to accelerate research of membrane proteins. You will work closely with our research team on various aspects of the project.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Experimental Design and Execution: Plan, perform, and optimize experiments related to membrane protein isolation, purification, and characterization.

• Cell Culture: Maintain and culture cell lines (HEK293 and Sf9) for membrane protein expression and isolation.
• Membrane Protein Purification: Execute various protein purification techniques such as affinity chromatography, and size-exclusion chromatography.
• Biophysical Characterization: Conduct biophysical assays to analyze membrane protein properties, including spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and fluorescence techniques.
• Data Analysis: Analyze experimental data, maintain detailed records, and assist in the interpretation of results.
• Lab Maintenance: Ensure proper maintenance of laboratory equipment and supplies and maintain a safe and organized workspace.
• Literature Review: Stay updated with relevant scientific literature and contribute to the development of research proposals and project strategies.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with team members and provide support in various aspects of the research project.
• Report and Presentation: Prepare research reports, posters, and presentations for internal and external dissemination of findings.
• Compliance: Adhere to laboratory safety protocols, ethical guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist who holds a MSc in biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biomedicine, biomedicine, medicinal chemistry or related fields of study.

Key criteriafor the assessment of applicants are:

• Qualifications corresponding to a Danish MSc degree with good results.
• Completed courses or research experience in biochemistry, protein chemistry, biotechnology, protein structural biology, and/or biophysics.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp and employ new methods and tools.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• High level of motivation, responsibility, and ability to work in a structured manner.
• An ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• A curious mind-set with a strong interest in understanding membrane protein behaviour.

As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications, emphasis will also be laid on publications, and relevant work or research experiences.

Desirable competencies and experiences:

• Experience with handling mammalian cell cultures.
• Hands-on experience with protein purification techniques, such as affinity -and size exclusion chromatography.
• Experience with in vitro protein characterization techniques such as Surface Plasmon Resonance.
• Recombinant DNA techniques, cloning and other molecular biology techniques.
• Experience with software for plotting and analysing data, e.g. GraphPad Prism or Python.
• Data management and reporting.

Principal supervisors areAssociate Professor Henriette Elisabeth Autzen, at theDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Theme of Molecular and Translational Pharmacology, [email protected], and Associate Professor Anton Autzen at DTU Health Tech, [email protected], at the Department of Health Technology, Section for Cell and Drug Technologies

Start: 01/03-2024

Duration: 10 months

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen within the theme in Molecular and Translational Pharmacology. Home to six labs specializing in G protein-coupled receptors, our theme hosts an international and interdisciplinary workplace, offering a vibrant, creative, and innovative research environment, set in modern lab facilities. Read more about our theme and individual groups here:

https://bmi.ku.dk/english/research/molecular-and-translational-pharmacology/

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 10 months. The start date is March 2024.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 31,200 DKK/approx. 4,180 EUR (October 2023 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact the principal supervisor.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position (max two pages).
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a Researchs assistant employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
4. List of publications.

Application deadline: 12/11 2023, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant can comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant.

You can find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 48/49.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk