Graduate student

Biophysical Society of Canada; Halifax; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative research opportunity awaits graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in tackling the pervasive issue of nanoplastics. This position focuses on developing protein-based biomaterials to detect and sequester harmful nanoplastics, particularly polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate. Candidates will gain valuable experience in recombinant protein production, advanced materials characterization, and computational protein design. Join a collaborative team dedicated to advancing our understanding of environmental contaminants and their impact on health. This role promises to be both intellectually stimulating and impactful, perfect for those passionate about scientific research and environmental sustainability.

Qualifications

• Develop strong skills in recombinant protein production and modification.
• Characterize materials through spectroscopy and microscopy techniques.
• Engage in computational protein design and fluorescence-based assays.

Responsibilities

• Create protein-based biomaterials for detecting nanoplastics.
• Quantify nanoplastics in biological and aqueous samples.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams on research projects.

Skills

Recombinant Protein Production

Spectroscopy

Microscopy

Biophysical Analysis

Computational Protein Design

Fluorescence-based Screening Assays

Education

Graduate Degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or related field

Postdoctoral Experience (preferred)

Tools

Spectroscopy Equipment

Microscopy Equipment

Computational Software

Job description

• Full Time
• Halifax, NS
• Posted 12 months ago
• Applications have closed
  
  

Dalhousie University

Interdisciplinary graduate student or postdoctoral fellow position

(Fall 2024 or Winter 2025 Start)

Nanoplastic Detection & Protein Engineering

Davey, Langelaan, Rainey, and Thompson Labs

Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Chemistry

Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Davey Lab: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/biochemistry-molecular-biology/our-people/faculty/davey.html

Langelaan Lab: https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/biochemistry-molecular-biology/our-people/faculty/langelaan.html

Rainey Lab: http://structbio.biochem.dal.ca/jrainey/

Thompson Lab: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/chemistry/faculty-staff/our-faculty/alison-thompson.html

Since its widespread adoption in the mid-20th century, humans have created over 9 billion tonnes of plastics. Instead of being recycled, most plastics are disposed of in landfills or released into the environment. Alongside the many benefits of plastics, there is one critical drawback: instead of naturally decomposing into smaller molecular components via chemical transformation, plastics persist and physically degrade into increasingly smaller pieces while retaining their original chemical structure. These pieces include both microplastics (having diameters ranging from 1-1000 μm) and nanoplastics (with diameters from 1-1000 nm). Plastics of this scale readily disperse in the environment and are ingested by humans and other animals.

Nanoplastics have the potential to be an omnipresent contaminant in our environment, but we lack the capability to reliably identify and quantify their presence in aqueous and biological samples. This impedes the ability of researchers and policy makers to correlate the burden of nanoplastics in the environment, food, or water to detrimental effects on human or animal health. The goal of this project is to create protein-based biomaterials that will efficiently detect and sequester nanoplastics, with an initial focus on polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate, two of the most common plastics currently produced. The graduate students or postdoctoral fellow working on this project will develop strong skills in: (1) recombinant protein production, processing, and modification; (2) materials production and characterization through spectroscopy, microscopy, and biophysical analysis; and, (3) protein design through computational methods and fluorescence-based screening assays.

Interested students should apply by e-mail with a brief statement of research experience and interests, a resume or CV, copy of transcript, and contact information for 2 references (one of whom should be a research supervisor). Please do not hesitate to contact us with any further questions or for more information about our graduate programs.

Questions and applications should be sent to Dr. David Langelaan ([e-mail])