PhD position (4 years) in structure-based RNA-ligand design at the Department of Biomedicine

6 Jun 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Bergen

Department

Department of Biomedicine

Research Field

Medical sciences » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Norway

Application Deadline

18 Jun 2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

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
UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Do you want to take part in shaping the future?

PhD position

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 PhD position is available for a period of four (4) years or max 4 months after completed the PhD-degree, if this is achieved within a shorter time than four years. The positions include 25 % required duties such as teaching, exam work or supervision, depending on the demands at the department.

The position is part of the project “Paving the way for rational RNA-ligand design” financed by The Research Council of Norway. The position is financed by the University of Bergen.

About the project/work tasks:

The vast majority of targets for approved drugs are proteins. In recent years, it has been increasingly realized that also RNA molecules constitute promising targets. However, compared to protein targets, RNA targets are vastly underexplored. By targeting RNA, the functions of currently undruggable protein-mediated pathways and the non-coding transcriptome can be modulated and thus the size of the druggable genome can be increased substantially. A major obstacle in RNA-targeting drug discovery is the lack of knowledge on how to obtain drug-like RNA ligands. The main goal of this project is therefore to establish a blueprint on how to design drug-like, potent, selective, and functional RNA ligands based on the 3D structure of the target and to advance our understanding of what drives potency and selectivity of RNA ligands on the molecular level. Focusing on RNA targets that contain druggable binding site will allow us to transfer methods that are at the forefront in structure-based design in the protein field to RNA. For that purpose, we have chosen two emerging targets for antibiotics, the FMN and TPP riboswitches (genetic switches in bacterial mRNA), as model systems. Hit compounds will be advanced through “design-synthesis-test” cycles and extensively characterized in terms of binding affinity and kinetics, functional activity, selectivity, and binding modes. This will deliver detailed knowledge about RNA-ligand interactions which is crucial to advance RNA-targeted drug discovery. In addition, the project will deliver advanced starting points for antibiotic drug discovery. We anticipate that this study will lead to a paradigm shift in the RNA field away from the currently rather unsuccessful “one size fits all” approach to a more target-centred approach where the nature of the binding site is taken into account.

 

In this project, two PhD students, one postdoc and one researcher will tightly collaborate on compound design, synthesis and testing.

More information about the project can be found here: https://www.uib.no/en/rg/brenk/162656/paving-way-rational-rna-ligand-design

The main objectives for the advertised PhD position are

• to carry out structure-based design of RNA-ligands
• to establish computational methodology on how to harvest the potential of large, chemically accessible combinatorial spaces for the design of RNA ligands

This PhD project will be conducted in collaboration with the group of Professor Jens Carlsson at Uppsala University in Sweden implying that this position will involve research stays in his lab.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a master`s degree or equivalent within the field of cheminformatics, bioinformatics, pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, or a related discipline
• The applicant must have a thorough understanding of the physico-chemical properties of small molecules and the principles of small molecule-RNA interactions.
• Basic knowledge of a scripting language is required
• Experience with modelling RNA structures or RNA-ligand interactions is a distinct advantage
• Experience with using supercomputer clusters is a distinct advantage
• Training in organic synthesis is a distinct advantage
• The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment and enthusiasm for structure-based drug design of RNA-ligands and for research in general
• The candidate must be able to work independently and interactively in a team setting.
• A structured approach to work and excellent communication skills and fluency in both written and spoken English are required

Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT whether the education in question (bachelor and master's degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en  for more information about NOKUT’s general recognition. The review from NOKUT may take some time and the application should be sent to NOKUT as soon as you have decided to apply for the position. If no answer within the application deadline, you must enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application.

See documentation requirements for language qualifications: http://www.uib.no/en/med/115526/english-language-requirements-phd-admission

About the PhD position (applies to university PhD positions):

Organized research training (PhD program):

The candidate must take part in the University of Bergen approved PhD programme leading to the degree within a time limit of 3 years. You must have admission to the organized research training (PhD program) at the faculty in order to qualify for the position.

Application for admission to the PhD programme, including a project plan outline for the training plan must be submitted no later than three months after the date of commencement.

The PhD position:

PhD positions are fixed term positions. You cannot be employed in a PhD-position for more than one fixed term period at the same institution or have had similar employment at an institution in the region.

We can offer:

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• Salary NOK 540 500 (code 1017, pay grade 55) in the state salary scale. For applicants with at least one year of employment in a position as a General Practitioner or Dentist, salary NOK 557 100 (code 1017, pay grade 57). Medical specialist starts on salary NOK 575 400 (code 1017, pay grade 59)
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• A brief account of the applicant`s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts of grades
• Applicant whose education is from another country than Norway, need to also attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcript of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant enclose a review from NOKUT whether the education in question (bachelor and master degree) is of a scope and level that corresponds to the level of a Norwegian master’s degree. Please see www.nokut.no/en  for more information about NOKUT’s general recognition. This may take some time and we recommend you to apply as soon as you know you will apply for this position. If no answer within the application deadline, please enclose documentation from NOKUT that they have received your application
• Documentation of language skills (English) http://www.uib.no/en/med/115526/english-language-requirements-phd-admission
• Complete list of publications and scientific work you want to be evaluated
• Any publication in your name
• Two references (name and contact information)

General information:

For further information, please contact Professor Ruth Brenk, e-mail: [email protected]

State employment shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent State employment 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. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request is not met.

Further information about our recruitment process can be found here .

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

About UiB

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad. 

There are five departments and eight centres at Faculty of Medicine.

Read More about the facult y and departments .

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences » Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Bergen

Country

Norway

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/246343/phd-position-4-years-in-s…

Contact

City

Bergen

Website

http://www.uib.no

Street

Post Box 7800

Postal Code

N-5020

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED