PhD Student Position Available in Protein Nanoscience

Bionanoscience and Biochemistry Laboratory (Heddle Lab) Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Krakow, Poland
 
We are now recruiting a PhD student to join our new team working to design and build DNA-membrane protein nanomachines for use in artificial cells. The project offers the opportunity to gain experience in a new area of synthetic biology, which will become increasingly important in the future. It also offers the chance to work in a dynamic, international team working closely with partners across the globe including Japan and Germany where we have an official collaboration with Max Planck Institute of Medical Research in Heidelberg.
You will join the Heddle lab (www.heddlelab.org), a newly established, innovative lab carrying out ambitious research aimed at designing and building artificial biological nanomachines using DNA, protein and lipid building blocks. We are located in a state-of-the-art laboratory, based at the new Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, in the beautiful city of Krakow, Poland
 
Details of Project: The successful candidate will join a FNP “TEAM” project that aims to design and build novel DNA-based nanomachines able to interact with specific proteins and help construct artificial cells. The project is in collaboration with Ilia Platzman at the Max Planck Institute of Medical Research in Heidelberg, Germany. Your contribution to the team will be: 1. Design, modeling and production of engineered lipophilic proteins. 2. Designing of novel DNA origami nanomachines in silico (with other team members). 3.Production and assembly of designed DNA origami nanomachines. 4. Measuring interaction of engineered membrane proteins with DNA nanomachines in vitro and in silico. 5. Structural assessment of designed DNA origami nanomachines (in collaboration with cryo EM experts in Japan)
 
Requirements

• A Masters degree in DNA chemistry, membrane protein biochemistry, structural biology, biochemistry or related discipline
• Experience in general molecular biology methodology
• Experience in working with proteins, particularly membrane proteins where possible
• Experience in either DNA nanotechnology including DNA origami would be advantageous but not obligatory
• Familiarity with structural biology and/or molecular modeling will be advantageous
• Have good written and oral communication skills in English

 
Our Offer

• PhD position with internationally competitive stipend payment
• Position for three years with possible extension after the project ends
• Excellent training: In our diverse group you will be able to network with international researchers, experience and learn new skills including in DNA origami design, enzyme biochemistry, structural biology, protein design etc.

 
How to Apply

• Send applications to the email at the foot of this advert, applications should be marked “FNPPhD2” and include the following:
• Copy of Masters certificate
• Contact details of a minimum of two referees including a former academic supervisor
• Motivation Letter
• CV
• Your application must include the following statement: “I hereby give consent for my personal data included in my application to be processed for the purposes of the recruitment process under the Personal Data Protection Act as of 29 August 1997, consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2016, item 922 as amended.”