Ref. E/18/20 Two Structural Biology PostDoc Research Associates at Elettra: TRANS-GLIOMA Project - CUP D93C17000330008

Job Description:
Position A: We are working on a variety of DNA and RNA helicases involved in DNA replication and repair, as well as other important cellular processes, such as recombination, sister chromatid cohesion, and telomere maintenance. Within the TRANS-GLIOMA project we will focus on helicases that are involved in the development and progression of glioma and glioblastoma, and could thus be putative drug targets. The successful candidate will work on the biochemical and structural characterization of one or more proteins, and may be involved in related research activities, in collaboration with TRANS-GLIOMA partners. He/she will be responsible for all the steps of the work, starting from protein expression and purification, to the biochemical, biophysical and structural analysis.
Position B: We are interested to study the role of deubiquitination in the cell and we are investigating the functional and structural determinants of different members of the Ubiquitin Specific Protease (USP) family and of some kinases regulatory kinases. In the TRANS-GLIOMA project we want to focus on those USPs and kinases that are predicted to have a potential effect in the insurgence and/or progression of glioma and glioblastoma and that are predicted to be candidate targets for new drugs or repositioning of existing drugs. The successful candidate will work on the biochemical and structural characterization of one or more proteins and will be involved in all the research activities related to the project, from the experimental set up and scientific decision, to the comparison with results and data obtained by other laboratories of the TRANS-GLIOMA partnership. The candidate will be responsible for her/his experimental activity from the initial cloning design, the protein production and the biochemical, biophysical and structural analysis with a drug discovery perspective.
The selected candidates will be working in a collaborative environment with other scientists of the Structural Biology Lab, with the beamline scientists of Elettra and with the scientists of the TRANS-GLIOMA partnership. Finally, they will participate to and present their results to the project meetings and to other conferences, meetings or workshops, as well as prepare and submit articles to scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications:
A PhD in structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, biotechnology or medicinal chemistry or a closely related subject is required. Hands-on experience in molecular biology, protein expression (in bacterial and/or eukaryotic systems) and purification is essential. Demonstrated experience in structural biology (especially crystallization and macromolecular crystallography), biochemical assays and biophysical characterization would be a distinctive advantage. Previous experience and knowledge of the scientific literature in cancer biology and in a field related to the two research topics (Position A: helicases, DNA replication & repair; Position B: deubiquitinases, kinases, ubiquitin signalling and autophagy) is desired, although not essential.
Good time management skills and ability to prioritize are expected, together with the ability to interact with collaborators and to tutor younger scientists, as well as to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are essential

Data processing
In accordance with provisions of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council "on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation)", hereinafter (GDPR), we inform you that:

Contacts: Tel. +39 040 37581 - Fax +39 040 9380902