Post-doctoral researcher in Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry

JOB OFFER

Position in the project: 

 Post-doctoral researcher

Scientific discipline:

 Molecular biology and biochemistry

Job type (employment contract/stipend):

 Full-time position, employment contract

Number of job offers: 

 1

Remuneration/stipend amount/month (“X0 000 PLN of full remuneration cost, i.e. expected net salary at X 000 PLN”):

 expected net salary approx. 5 800 PLN

Position starts on: 

 February, 2022

Maximum  period of contract/stipend agreement:

 29 months

Institution:

 Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland

Project leader:

 Krzysztof Liberek

Project title:

 Hsp70 and its co-chaperones in protein recovery from aggregates

 Project is carried out within the OPUS 18 grant scheme financed by National Science Centre, Poland

Project description:

Molecular crowding and rapidly changing environmental factors interfere with the process of newly synthesized polypeptide chain folding or promote loss of native conformation in mature polypeptides. Loss of native conformation not only leads to depletion of functional proteins, but leads to another problem in the cell, namely aggregation of polypeptides. A special class of proteins, called molecular chaperones, has evolved to counteract this process. In our grant application we will focus on the mechanisms by which chaperones from three different  unrelated families, namely Hsp70 and its co-chaperones, Hsp100, and small Hsps act on protein aggregates to liberate and refold the polypeptides trapped inside these aggregates.

The main research methodology is based on reconstitution of disaggregation system with purified chaperones. The proteins whose native conformation is easy to monitor by fluorescence or enzymatic activity will be selected as disaggregation substrates. In our research we will use several variants of chaperone proteins. Presence of some of them confers characteristic phenotypes when analyzed in vivo. Analysis of their activities combined with structural insights will allow us to establish their mechanisms and cellular functions as well as details of their co-operation in refolding of proteins from aggregates. In our research we plan to apply several experimental techniques as bio-layer interferometry, enzyme assays, fluorescence measurements, electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance and other methods.

The proposed comprehensive study of the mechanistic aspects of co-chaperones role in regulation of Hsp70 in disaggregation and refolding would improve our knowledge of the Hsp70 system that is a central regulator of protein homeostasis. The broad spectrum of Hsp70 functions has led to intense work on therapeutically useful modulators of this system. Early proof of concept studies have demonstrated that Hsp70 and its co-chaperones in cooperation with hyperactive version of  Hsp104 disaggregase can reverse amyloid aggregation in animal models of neurodegeneration.

Key responsibilities include:

• performing research using biochemical, genetic and molecular biology techniques (independently and in collaboration with other team members)
• participation in design of experiments and data analysis
• participation in preparation and writing of manuscripts
• supervising younger researchers (PhD students and Master students) involved
• in the project
• active participation in lab meetings, departmental seminars and conferences

Profile of candidates/requirements:

• Doctoral degree in biochemistry or molecular biology or biology obtained in 2015 or later
• Publication record and experimental training in biochemistry and molecular biology. Publications in the field of chaperones are preferable 
• Ability to communicate fluently in English (spoken and written)
• Strong motivation to pursue scientific questions, creativity and analytical thinking
• Research experience (publication proven) in protein purification, protein-protein interactions analysis, enzymatic activities analysis and genetics.
• The experience in yeast genetics techniques will be advantageous

Required documents:

• Motivation letter (in English)
• CV (in English)
• Recommendation letter preferable from the PhD project supervisor and names and emails of two additional scientists/ supervisors willing to submit references on request.
• PhD diploma

We offer:

• work in active research team in an excellent international  scientific environment
• comprehensive cross-disciplinary training in molecular biology, biochemistry, yeast genetics and protein structure/function predictions
• participation in scientific seminars and conferences

Please submit the following documents to:

krzysztof.liberek@ug.edu.pl

Application deadline:

 16.12.2021

For more details about the position please visit (website/webpage address):

https://en.biotech.ug.edu.pl/research/research_groups/laboratory_protein_biochemistry

Euraxess job/stipend offer (in case of PhD and postdoc positions):

578944