RESEARCHER 5 months, for hit discovery for riboswitches

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At the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine in the group of Professor Ruth Brenk (http://www.uib.no/en/rg/brenk ) a full-time (100 %) position as resarcher is available for a period of 5 months years. The position is part of the project “Exploration of the TPP riboswitch as a new target for antibiotics” financed by The Research Council of Norway under the Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR) initiative.

The main focus of the project will be hit discovery and optimization for the TPP riboswitch which is a target for new antibiotics (https://www.jpiamr.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Summary_Explore.pdf ). The role of this researcher will be hit validation using an in vitro transcription/translation assay, SPR, and X-ray crystallography and structure-based ligand design. Assay development will be conducted in close collaboration with the groups of Prof. Daniel Lafontaine from the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada, and Dr. Petr Bartunek from CZ-Openscreen, Czech Republic. 

The main objectives for the position are

- to validate HTS hits using an in vitro transcription/translation assay 

- to validate HTS hits using SPR 

- to determine the crystal structures of target-ligand complexes 

- to design compounds with improved affinities and physico-chemical properties

• The applicant must hold a relevant Norwegian PhD or equivalent doctoral degree, within the field of pharmacy, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology or a related discipline or have submitted their doctoral dissertation within the specified field for evaluation within the closing date of the application. It is a condition for appointment that the dissertation is approved.
• The candidate must have documented experience in the following areas:

  - In vitro transcription of RNA

  - Determination of ligand binding to the TPP and purine riboswitch using in vitro transcription/translation asseys

  - X-ray crystallography of macromolecules

  - Determination of ligand binding to RNA using SPR

  - Structure-based ligand design using computational methods 

• A structured approach to work and excellent communication skills and fluency in both written and spoken English are required
• The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment for hit discovery for antibiotics and research in general
• Personal skills will be emphasized. The candidate must be able to work independently and interactively in a team setting, be motivated and responsable, and also have a great work capacity and enthusiasm for research
• Prior publication record will be of importanse
• The applicant must be experienced in counseling, writing manuscripts and preferentially also grant applications 
• Personal skills, including abilities to work independently and cooperate within a research group will be evaluated
• The applicant must be motivated and responsible, and also have a great work capacity and enthusiasm for research
• The candidate must be fluent in written and oral English
• Experience with international collaboration is an advantage

• A good and challenging work environment in research front of of hit discovery for new antibiotics
• Salary NOK 593 500 (code 1109, salary pay grade 64), specialist salary NOK 615 000 (code 1109, salary pay grade 66) gross p.a. for a fulltime position; following ordinary meriting regulations
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

• A brief letter of application stating your motivation for the position, why you are applying and why this position is perfect for you
• An overview of your education and work experience (CV)
• Witnessed copies of diplomas and relevant certificates (applicants with education from other countries than Norway must enclose diplomas in both the original language and authorized translations)
• Publications and academic work (max 10) and a list of these
• Your PhD thesis (in PDF)
• Two referees (name and contact information)

It is very important that each of the scholarly works on which the committee should place special emphasis, is attached in its entirety.

• The researcher will be a member of the research group of which the topic/project belongs to
• The salary shall if possible be 100 % covered by external financing
• The researcher shall actively contribute to attract external funding to the research project, both for her/his own position and other positions, from the Research Council of Norway, EU and other sources
• The researcher is expected to have her/his research activity financed by the project of the researcher and the projects of the associated research group
• The Head of Department may allocate work for the Researcher related to specific research projects
• The researcher may participate in committee work and other administrative tasks within the University of Bergen
• The researcher has no teaching duties, but is expected to supervise master students and PhD candidates when this is a natural part of the research activity of the research group
• The researcher may apply for competence promotion according to the regulations for promotions 
• The basis for the position ceases if no further project funding and new law on state officials etc. on dismissal and preferential rights will be applied to permanent employees

Further information about the position can be obtained from: Professor Ruth Brenk, e-mail: [email protected] , phone: +47 55 58 60 70.

The state workforce shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here .

The University of Bergen (UiB) is an internationally recognised research university with more than 14,000 students and close to 3,500 employees at six faculties. The university is located in the heart of Bergen.

Our main contribution to society is excellent basic research and education across a wide range of disciplines.