A postdoctoral position is available starting June 2013 at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB) in Janusz Bujnicki’s research group (http://genesilico.pl).
IIMCB (http://iimcb.gov.pl) is the top-ranked Polish research institute in the field of biology. The institute provides cutting-edge equipment and facilities, in particular for bioinformatics (e.g. a computing cluster with >1500 cores) and for structural biology (e.g. the X8 PROTEUM X-ray generator with a micro-focus source) as well as for cell biology, neurobiology and imaging.
The Bujnicki laboratory (http://iimcb.genesilico.pl) studies sequence-structure-function relationships in proteins and nucleic acids. Our team comprises experimentalists and theoreticians with a wide area of expertise. We study the naturally occurring systems and infer general rules to develop predictive models and to engineer macromolecules with new functions. We develop computer software, use bioinformatics to make structural and functional predictions, and we test hypotheses experimentally. We have developed software for modeling of protein and RNA structures that was very successful in CASP and RNA Puzzles (e.g. GeneSilico metaserver, ModeRNA), we have identified and characterized new enzymes responsible for RNA modification, and recently we have engineered nucleases with new substrate specificities.
We have an opening for a postdoc in a project funded by the European Research Council (ERC). This project focuses on studying RNA-protein interactions, to understand how all proteins and RNAs in the cell recognize and bind to each other, using a combination of biochemical and biophysical techniques. The position provides an opportunity for an energetic RNA scientist to learn how to apply and integrate many methods, from high-throughput analyses, to biochemical assays, to mass spectrometry, to X-ray crystallography, to computational modeling of RNA and proteins. This project will be carried out in direct collaboration with bioinformaticians, biochemists, and crystallographers in the IIMCB.
The ideal candidate for this project will have a recent Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry or structural biology, and laboratory experience working with RNA. Experience with bioinformatics methods will be an advantage, but is not essential.
Salary support at a level commensurate with experience is assured for one year, with funds likely to be available for subsequent years depending on mutual agreement. To apply for this position, please send your CV, the names of two references, and a statement of your scientific goals to employment@nullgenesilico.pl