• Postdoctoral researcher

Post-doctoral position available in protein engineering of carbohydrate active enzymes at the Laboratory of Biochemistry-GQBB, Bioengineering Dept, Institut Químic de Sarrià, University Ramon Llull in Barcelona.

 

Project description

The research at the Laboratory of Biochemistry focuses on Carbohydrate Active Enzymes (CAZymes) involved in the biosynthesis, modification and degradation of glycans and glycoconjugates, from fundamental aspects of their mechanism, specificity and regulation to their applications in biocatalysis, synthetic biology and as therapeutic targets in infectious diseases in the PlanasLab.

The Laboratory is looking for a postdoc to work on Protein engineering of carbohydrate active enzymes in the framework of several funded projects and collaborations. Position for two years starting by July 2022, extendable upon additional funding.

You will be involved in two main projects:
a) selection and engineering of glycosidases to tailor novel substrate specificities for the design of in vivo biorthogonal systems for metabolic labelling.
b) engineering transglycosylation activity into selected glycosidases for chemoenzymatic synthesis of functional oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. Projects require proved experience in molecular biology techniques for protein engineering, implementation of HTS assays, protein expression and enzymology, as well as bioinformatics skills for sequence analysis and molecular modelling.

Applicant’s profile

  •  PhD in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or alike.
  •  Experience in molecular cloning, protein expression, protein engineering and directed evolution, preferably
    on carbohydrate active enzymes, and skills on molecular modeling and computer-aided protein design.
  •  Communication and team building skills for collaborative work in a research team.
  •  Managing abilities to supervise MS and undergrad students.
  •  Fluent in English.

Main Tasks and responsibilities

  •  The successful candidate is expected to work collaboratively and contribute to several projects on protein
    engineering with PhD students, external collaborators and the PI, and take initiatives to start new projects.
    The position will combine experimental work on protein engineering (rational and directed evolution approaches) and computer-aided protein design. 
  •  Participation in writing scientific reports and papers, attending project meetings and scientific conferences,
    and in outreach activities within the project.

Apply

If you are interested to apply, please send the following documentation to:

Subject: Postdoc LabBio2022

Prof. Antoni Planas, Laboratory of Biochemistry, IQS (antoni.planas@iqs.edu) and Department of Human Resources (rrhh@iqs.edu)
- Letter of interest in the specific program, detailing previous experiences
- Full CV and reprints of two main publications by the applicant
- Two letters of recommendation from scientists with whom the researcher has collaborated

Application deadline: June 2022
Position available by July 2022
Full-time position for 2 years, extendible upon additional funding
Salary based on merits and qualifications