PhD in Medicinal Chemistry/Chemical Biology — Imaging Probes

Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC); Barcelona; On-site; EUR 16,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time contract

3-year contract

International and interdisciplinary环境

Support for visa and relocation to bar

Job summary

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in Barcelona seeks a motivated PhD student to dissect post-translational modifications across the microtubule network, by developing new inhibitors and fluorescent sensors of metalloenzymes. This PhD project sits within CHEMTUBIO (ERC Starting Grant) and our aim is to reveal disease mechanisms through imaging tools and chemical probes for drug discovery.

Key tasks include organic synthesis of inhibitors, enzyme assay development, and live-cell

Qualifications

• M.Sc. degree in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry or related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry techniques.
• Scientific communication in English; ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• Motivation for cutting-edge research and developing analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize small molecule- and peptide-based inhibitors of metalloenzymes.
• Develop enzyme assays using purified recombinant proteins.
• Perform live cell imaging to study PTMs and enzyme activity sensing.
• Attend seminars and courses as part of doctoral training.
• Disseminate findings at international conferences and through publications.

Skills

Organic chemistry

Biochemistry techniques

Scientific communication in English

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Time management

Education

M.Sc. in Medicinal Chemistry or related field

Tools

Solid-phase peptide synthesis

In vitro enzyme assays

Job description

The Enzyme Sensors and Chemical Probes group is looking for a motivated Ph.D. student to dissect post-translational modifications (PTMs) across the microtubule network of the cell, by developing new inhibitors and fluorescent sensors of metalloenzymes. This positions fit within the scope of the project CHEMTUBIO (ERC Starting Grant), and within our overall aim of revealing disease mechanisms through the development of imaging tools and chemical probes, leading up to methods for translatable drug discovery.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Synthetic organic chemistry: develop small molecule- and peptide-based inhibitors of metalloenzymes / cysteine-dependent enzymes using in-solution and solid-phase chemistry
• Enzyme assay development: investigate enzyme activity in vitro using purified recombinant proteins
• Live cell imaging: study the spatiotemporal regulation of microtubule PTMs through selective enzyme inhibition and activity sensing in cell culture
• Training activities:attend scientific seminars, as well as courses in scientific and transversal skills, as part of the doctoral training
• Outreach: disseminate research findings at international conferences and through publications

Requirements for candidates:

• Education: M.Sc. degree in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field
• Technical expertise: demonstrated expertise in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry techniques
• Transversal skills: scientific communication in English, ability to work in a diverse and interdisciplinary environment, time management, collaboration
• Motivation: strong interest in cutting-edge research and in the development of analytical skills and scientific independence

Advantageous:

• Experience in solid-phase peptide synthesis
• Experience in compound library synthesis
• Experience with in vitro enzyme assays
• Experience working within international teams or institutions

Competencies and Skills:

We value not only technical expertise but also the demonstration of core competencies such as Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, and Critical and Analytical Thinking.

We Offer:

• Number of available positions: 2
• Working conditions: full-time, 3-year contract.
• Measures to reconcile work and family life (parental leave, flexible schedule working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, among others).
• IBEC ensures equality of access to professional development opportunities irrespective of employment status, length at IBEC or other factors. The IBEC’s yearly training catalogue offers a wide range of training in technical and transferable skills including mobility grants and a Mentoring programme for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
• Stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high-quality international scientific environment.
• Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permit and to install in Barcelona.

How to apply:

Until October, 30th an online application form is available through IBEC dedicated site: https://careers.ibecbarcelona.eu/

Only those applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.

Reference: PhD1-CM. // PhD2-CM.

If you have any further question regarding your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

Principles of the selection process:

IBEC is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit based Recruitment principles (OTM-R) https://ibecbarcelona.eu/careers-at-ibec/jobs/

IBEC´s Commitment on equal opportunity, diversity, and Inclusion:

Our strength and excellence as an international transdisciplinary Research Institute are based on diversity. Being an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, so that we support employees irrespective of their gender, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, sexual identity or cultural and socioeconomic background.

Visit our devoted webpage on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

For candidates with children that come from outside Barcelona, we offer babysitting services during the interview, so you don’t have to worry about anything else than doing a good interview. Contact us if you are interested in this service.

In categories where women are underrepresented, such as Group Leader positions, and with the aim of ensuring gender balance in recruitment processes, women candidates must represent at least 50% of those interviewed for Junior-level positions and 40% for Senior-level positions, provided they have CVs comparable to those of male candidates. At the end of the evaluation process, in cases of equal merit, preference will be given to women candidates.

IBEC, as a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), will consider, especially for early-stage investigators, much more the scientific content of research outputs, than publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which it were published.

Protection of personal data:

IBEC guarantees that candidates’ personal data are processed in accordance with the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Law 3/2018 on Data Protection.

Personal data will be processed solely for the purposes of the selection process.

Who we are?

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC is an interdisciplinary research center focused on Bioengineering and Nanomedicine based in Barcelona. IBEC is one of the top research institutions named as a Severo Ochoa Research Centre by the Ministry of Science, Universities and Innovation, which recognizes excellence at the highest international level in terms of research, training, human resources, outreach and technology transfer.

IBEC’s mission is to develop international high-quality interdisciplinary research that, while creating knowledge, contributes to making a better quality of life, improving health and creating wealth. A close link with key universities, reference hospitals and corporations, are assets that facilitate achieving the mission.

IBEC was established in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC).

IBEC is located within the Barcelona Science Park and UPC Besós Campus, with an annual budget of 21 Mio€; 4.400 square meters of facilities; 25 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 450 people from 40 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu