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:

expected net salary approx. 5 800 PLN

Position starts on: 

February, 2021

Maximum  period of contract/stipend agreement:

24 months

Institution:

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

Project leader:

prof. Krzysztof Liberek

Project title:

Emergence of the two-component small heat shock protein system – a fortified first line of defense against stress in Enterobacterales

Project is carried out within the OPUS 17 grant scheme financed by National Science Centre, Poland

Project description:

In Escherichia coli there are two small heat shock proteins, IbpA and IbpB. These were created in evolution as a result of gene duplication event at the base of Enterobacterales. Each of them possesses strikingly different biochemical and functional properties but they cooperate in interaction with the substrates. The molecular bases of the functional differences between IbpA and IbpB are unknown. It is also not known what are the benefits of possessing two protein sHsps system in comparison to single sHsp.

In the grant we will define which elements in  amino acid sequences of IbpA and IbpB are responsible for particular properties of these proteins. Our strategy is to predict and  reconstitute  several ancestral IbpA and IbpB proteins corresponding to the same stages of bacterial evolution between last common ancestor (AncAB) of IbpA and IbpB and the present day E.coli, IbpA and IbpB. After reconstruction these proteins will be  synthetized and purified for in vitro, in vivo and in silico functional analysis.

Key responsibilities include:

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

Profile of candidates/requirements:

1.Doctoral degree in biochemistry or molecular biology or biology
2.Publication record and experimental training in biochemistry and molecular biology. Publications in the field of
small heat shock proteins  and chaperones are preferable 
3.Ability to communicate fluently in English (spoken and written)
4.Strong motivation to pursue scientific questions, creativity and analytical thinking
5.Research experience (publication proved) in protein purification, protein-protein interactions, enzymatic activities and genetics.
6.The experience in SPR/BLI, MST techniques will be advantageous

Required documents:

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

We offer:

-work in active research team in an excellent international  scientific environment
-comprehensive cross-disciplinary training in molecular biology, biochemistry, bacterial 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:

December 4th, 2020

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

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