Research Associate (Chemistry)

23 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Research Field

Chemistry

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Singapore

Application Deadline

21 Feb 2024 - 00:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Job Description

The successful candidate will work with Prof YAO Shao Qin on chemical biology/drug discovery-related research under a project on "Targeted covalent Inhibitors against key epigenetic proteins (NMRC)".

Human kinases and epigenetic proteins are important therapeutic targets. Recent development of selective and potent inhibitors of proteins has yielded remarkable results in disease treatment, with numerous drugs already on the market, and many more undergoing clinical trials. Notwithstanding, the discovery of new covalent kinase and epigenetic drugs remains highly challenging, including issues related to selectivity, efficacy and acquired drug resistance.

Taking cue from the kinase drug discovery field, the hypothesis of these projects is that a universal strategy for targeted covalent inhibitors (TCIs) capable of potent target inhibition and minimal acquired drug resistance is possible, if highly effective small molecules could be developed to covalently target non-cysteine (C) nucleophilic residues within/near the active-site of kinase/epigenetic proteins.

Our recent discovery of covalent kinase inhibitors against BCR-ABL (a key kinase for CML) in which CBA/SA and EBA warheads formed stable, (reversible and irreversible) covalent linkage with catalytic lysine (K) in Abl kinase under cellular environments indicates other covalent chemistries are feasible. Therefore, the goal of the current proposals is to confirm covalent chemistries targeting other nucleophilic residues (E/D/R/M/etc) are possible, and amenable to the development of cell-active, selective TCIs for various therapeutic proteins.

The scope of this proposal will be limited to the fundamental basic science, and NOT the actual clinical implementation, of the developed chemical/chemical biology tools. Therefore, only cell-based and basic animal models will be tested on newly developed, select small-molecule TCIs.

Experience/skills required are organic synthesis/chemical biology/protein chemistry/proteomics/molecular biology/cell biology (only some of above skills are required)

Qualifications

• Qualifications / Discipline: Master’s degree in Chemistry/Biochemistry/Pharmaceutical Chemistry/Biology 
• Skills: Organic synthesis/chemical biology/protein chemistry/proteomics/molecular biology/cell biology
• Experience: At least 2 years’ relevant work experience

More Information
Location: Kent Ridge Campus
Organization: Science
Department : Chemistry
Employee Referral Eligible: No
Job requisition ID : 23426

Requirements
Additional Information
Where to apply

Website

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/363883/research-associate-…

STATUS: EXPIRED