Download Experimental phase diagrams to optimise membrane protein

Experimental phase diagrams to optimise membrane protein
crystallization
Applications are invited for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR)/PhD studentship
position funded by The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Innovative
Training Networks (ITN) programme “Rationalising Membrane Protein
Crystallisation” (RAMP) and working with Dr Jennifer McManus in the Soft
Matter and Biophysical Chemistry group in the Department of Chemistry at
Maynooth University in Ireland. This is an experimental physical
chemistry/biological physics project, using protein phase diagrams to optimise the
conditions for membrane protein crystallization.
The PhD project is part of the EU Marie Skłodowska Curie Action (MSCA) network
RAtionalising Membrane Protein crystallisation (RAMP). Other PhD students in the
network will use multidisciplinary approaches, including structural biology,
microfluidics, and coarse-grained modelling to better understand membrane protein
crystallization. The Ph.D. project will involve secondments to academic and
industrial partners across the RAMP network.
The successful candidate will join a well-equipped and dynamic research group at
Maynooth University with a focus on understanding protein self-assembly from
several different perspectives. This project is very interdisciplinary in nature and will
appeal to those with a background in physical chemistry, physics or chemical
engineering and a willingness to learn new approaches and techniques to understand
the physical basis underlying membrane protein crystallization.
To obtain high resolution information about the structure of membrane proteins,
they must be crystallized. This is extremely difficult to do – much more difficult than
for globular proteins. RAMP aims to use an interdisciplinary approach to understand
how best to crystallize membrane proteins, how to improve the quality of the crystals
and then simplify the process of obtaining structural information from these crystals.
While protein phase diagrams have been successfully used to improve the success
and quality of protein crystals for globular proteins, these methodologies are less
widely used for membrane proteins. We will develop techniques to measure phase
diagrams for membrane proteins and will then use these approaches to optimise the
conditions for crystallization.
Applicants should have, or expect to have, a first class or upper second class honours
degree (B.Sc.) or a Masters degree in physics, chemistry or chemical engineering (or
a related field). A willingness to learn new skills and techniques across disciplines,
including molecular biology, physical chemistry and physics is required.
Secondments to other partners within the RAMP network will be required at
different stages throughout the project, so a willingness to travel is essential.
The salary is in line with standard rates for MSCA, for 36 months.
Eligibility – To comply with MSCA eligibility rules, applicants must not have worked
in Ireland for more than 12 months in the last 3 years (i.e. must undertake
transnational mobility).
To apply, send a CV and cover letter to Dr. Jennifer McManus at
[email protected].