Call for POSTDOC positions The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences (IMC) in Prague, Czech Republic searches for highly motivated young researchers for full time research postdoctoral positions in the area of *Structural Analysis of Biomacromolecules.*
The positions are offered within the Department of Structural Analysis of Biomacromolecules (http://www.imc.cas.cz/en/umch/o_struanal.html) where the central technique is x-ray diffraction analysis of mostly protein structures. *Topic A: Structure and function of enzymes for biotechnologies* *Structure-function studies of enzymes with biotechnological applications.* The work will be focused on defining macromolecular targets, protein production and purification in collaboration with a partner, crystallization, X-ray diffraction, determination and interpretation of structure, design of mutations and complementary biophysical techniques, including measurements of reaction kinetics, inhibition and complex formation. The successful applicant will be also involved in ligand selection/design and studies of complexes of such compounds with the target macromolecules. The applicant has received PhD or equivalent in one of the following fields: biophysics, physics, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology or closely related. Required experience and skills: protein crystallography, biochemistry, reaction kinetics, inhibition. Practical experience with protein-ligand interaction studies (ITC, SPR, etc.) and with enzyme modification/optimization is welcome. * * *Topic B: Interaction between biological a synthetic macromolecules* *Molecular modeling, polymer structure database, mechanistic interpretation of processes (function, inhibition) in macromolecular systems. * · Solves the problems of molecular modeling and molecular dynamics and ensures compatibility between the experimental and theoretical results of structure analysis. · Determines protein structures by diffraction methods. · Introduces a new methodology in study of interactions between biological and synthetic macromolecules. · Maintains templates used in protein structure refinement. · Maintains the „Polymer structure database“ compiling information on the polymer interactions with biological molecules and also on molecular structure of polymers in solid phase. · Maintains the WEB server with „Polymer structure database“. · Interprets the processes in biological systems on the basis of structure and dynamics, and leads works directed to practical applications in a design of safer and more efficient drugs. The applicant has received PhD degree after May 28, 2008. He has sufficient knowledge in the above mentioned subjects. An advantage is knowledge of polymer chemistry, biochemistry, practical experience with diffraction methods, with molecular modeling, and with simulation of molecular dynamics. *Contract type: * Full time, fixed term, 3 years, starting 1st July 2012, EU funded via the Czech Ministry of Education. Please, send your expression of interest via e-mail as soon as possible to myself at dohnalek...@gmail.com. You will receive further details necessary for a full application. -- Jan Dohnalek, Ph.D Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Heyrovskeho nam. 2 16206 Praha 6 Czech Republic Tel: +420 296 809 390 Fax: +420 296 809 410
