Postdoc position in solid-state NMR: Determining biomolecular structure at the interface of structural and cellular biology
Description of the Faculty / Research group
The
Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics and Chemistry. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research.
The
NMR Research Group is part of the Chemistry Department (
Universiteit Utrecht fac. Scheikunde) and belongs to the Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research (
Bijvoet Center and Bijvoet School). A major research line (headed by Prof.Dr. Marc Baldus) concerns the development and application of solid-state NMR (ssNMR) methods in a biomolecular context. In contrast to other biophysical methods, ssNMR techniques can be used to study atomic structure even if molecules are not soluble or crystalline. Correspondingly, ssNMR offers new possibilities to study complex biomolecules such as protein assemblies and Amyloid proteins in a biologically relevant context. We are working in these fields of research and collaborate with internationally leading groups at Utrecht University and abroad. Additional information on our work and regarding ongoing projects can be found at our
website.
Currently, we are searching for a Postdoc
Job description
Increasing evidence suggests that protein structure and function is strongly influenced by the surrounding molecular, eventually cellular environment. Solid-state NMR is an ideal method to investigate such heterogeneous samples and has made significant progress in determining three-dimensional protein structures. Yet, additional efforts are needed to streamline the 3D structure determination process and to relate data to the surrounding molecules. As a postdoc, you will be working in the ssNMR team to develop high-resolution methods to infer structural information in complex systems such as membrane proteins or cellular preparations. For this purpose, you will combine current ssNMR structure determination concepts with advanced labeling and computational biology techniques. Initial studies on all relevant aspects have already been published by the Baldus group. These experiments will create a novel means to study elementary biomolecular processes in high spatial and temporal resolution with direct implications for understanding cellular functioning and disease. The position is funded by a research grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) to Prof. Dr. M. Baldus.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have a Ph.D. degree in chemistry, physics, or biology with a general interest in biophysics and spectroscopy. Experience in NMR, in particular solid-state NMR, is desirable.
Terms of employment
The position on this project is available for a maximum of three years. Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience and ranges from ?2802.- to ?3678.- gross per month (salary scale 10). The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 6.4% per year. We also offer a pension scheme. Employment conditions are according to the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch universities,
terms of employment. Next to research (90%) you are also expected to contribute to teaching (10%).
Further details
For further information contact Prof. Dr. Marc Baldus (Phone: +31-30-2533801 Fax: +31-30-2537623 Email:
m.baldus@uu.nl.
How to apply
Your application, referring to vacancynumber ???, including a CV with contact information of two referees, should be sent to
Science.PenO@uu.nl or: Faculty of Science, Personnel department, PO Box 80010, 3508 TA Utrecht.