Research Engineer in modelling difference X-ray scattering data from integral membrane

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The Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology conducts high-quality research and education in chemical sciences and molecular life sciences. Our research and education focuses on a deep understanding of chemical and biological processes in cells and in the environment. The department is an international environment with interdisciplinary collaborations in both research and education, and contributes strongly to the University of Gothenburg's top ranking in life science.The department is responsible for postgraduate education in the subject area Natural Sciences with a focus on chemistry, biophysics, biology and educational science.

X-ray diffraction studies of the structure and function of membrane proteins is a strong research activity at the University of Gothenburg. Richard Neutze’s and Gisela Brändén’s research groups have developed methods for time-resolved serial crystallography and time-resolved x-ray solution scattering investigations of conformational changes in membrane proteins. X-ray scattering is not as information rich as x-ray diffraction and therefore structural modelling is challenging. We have collected time-resolved x-ray scattering data at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility from several different light-sensitive membrane proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations and x-ray scattering calculations are required to fit these difference x-ray scattering data, and these structural models must incorporate both the protein and its surrounding detergent micelle. We are therefore looking for a researcher enginer who can work on the fitting of difference X-ray scattering data recorded at the ESRF so that these data can be brought forward to publication.

We have collected time-resolved x-ray scattering data at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility from several different light-sensitive membrane proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations and x-ray scattering calculations are required to fit these difference x-ray scattering data, and these structural models must incorporate both the protein and its surrounding detergent micelle. We are therefore looking for a specialist who can work on the fitting of difference X-ray scattering data recorded at the ESRF so that these data can be brought forward to publication. The successful candidate must be familiar with performing molecular dynamics simulations of retinal proteins using Gromacs; must be able to build and energy minimize a detergent micelle within Gromacs; must be familiar with x-ray scattering calculations using Crysol; and must be able to assemble the results from molecular dynamics trajectories and x-ray scattering calculations into structural fitting calculations performed using MatLab. Experience in presenting the results of such an analysis (eg. through manuscripts ) is a merit.

The successful candidate must have a master level qualification in chemistry, molecular biology, structural biology or its equivalent. The successful candidate must also have several years working experience in research using both molecular dynamics simulations (and in particular the programme Gromacs) and X-ray scattering calculations (specifically, using the programme Crysol). The successful candidate must be able to work with retinal proteins in Gromacs, and to be able to create and energy minimize a realistic detergent micelle using Gromacs. The successful candidate must also be familiar with the programming language MatLab. Experience in presenting results from X-ray scattering studies (eg. in publications or a PhD thesis) is a merit.

Fixed term, full time 100% during 6 months at the Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology.

Richard Neutze, e-mail: [email protected]

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Closing date: 2021-09-30

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