Postdoc in peptide synthesis and medicinal chemistry at the Department of Biomedical Sc...

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic researcher for a 3-year position (start date: May 15th, 2020 or after agreement) for the chemical synthesis of peptides derived from cone snail venoms as lead compounds for the design of drugs to treat various diseases, including diabetes and pain. Peptides to be synthesized and designed in this project have highly complex structures (heterodimers, disulfide-rich peptides etc.) and include insulin-like sequences that require multistep synthesis, folding and purification. This project is interdisciplinary in nature and based on a collaboration between research groups at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. Information about the Departments can be found here:

https://bmi.ku.dk/english/research/
https://chem.ku.dk/


Our research
Venomous animals use a myriad of potent and selective receptor ligands to disrupt the physiology and behaviour of prey. Because many of the targets and pathways affected by venom peptides play critical roles in human health and disease, venom compounds have become indispensable tools for the study of human physiology and as drug leads and drugs to treat disease. We use computational and experimental tools to identify the most promising venom peptides for biomedical evaluation. Our research is interdisciplinary and collaborative in nature. We value a diverse, gender-balanced and inclusive work environment.

Your job
You will be responsible for the synthesis, folding and purification of newly identified venom peptides for functional and structural evaluation. These peptides typically possess complex structures and often require the optimization of synthesis and folding protocols. One group of venom peptides that will be included in this project are venom insulins. These are particularly challenging to synthesize and prior knowledge of orthogonal folding techniques is favourable. You will closely work with colleagues in the group to utilize structure-function information to design mutant peptides with desirable, more drug-like properties (better stability, better potencies etc.). You will disseminate research results at national and international meetings and through peer-reviewed publications. You will also be involved in the training of undergraduate and graduate students.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in chemistry, peptide chemistry, medicinal chemistry or a closely related field
• You are highly experienced in solid peptide synthesis, folding and purification
• Analytical and preparative HPLC, Mass spectrometry (ESI and MALDI TOF)
• You have published several papers in these areas
• You have an active interest in mentoring and teaching students
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Insulin synthesis and folding
• Disulfide-rich peptide synthesis
• Molecular modelling
• NMR, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen in the groups of Assistant Professor Helena Safavi (tenure-track) and Prof. Knud Jørgen Jensen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and interdisciplinary research teams focused on conducting basic biomedical research with translational potential.

Terms of employment
The employment as postdoc is a full time and fixed-term position for 3 years. Starting date is May 15, 2020 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary starts at 34,300 DKK/ approx. 4,590 Euro (October 2019-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of January 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Helena Safavi; [email protected]. www.sund.ku.dk

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.

3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.

4. List of publications.

Application deadline: 3 March 2020, 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. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

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

The applicant 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 as soon as possible after the assessment process.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

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Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk