Predoctoral Contract to Study Pathogenic Virus RNA Structure

Posted on September 9th, 2025

The predoctoral researcher will be engaged in a research project funded by the State Research Agency of Spain and focused on the study of the structure and dynamics of functional RNA elements of pathogenic viruses, including the Rev Recognition Element of HIV-1 and the Programmed Ribosomal Frameshift element of the MERS coronavirus. HIV/AIDS remains one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. MERS-CoV causes human infections with a 35% fatality rate and has been classified as a priority pathogen by the WHO.

The selected candidate will join the Laboratory of Structural and Computational Biochemistry led by José Gallego at Catholic University of Valencia (UCV), Spain (https://portalcientifico.ucv.es/en/ipublic/researcher/325518) and the work will involve NMR spectroscopy and/or single-molecule fluorescence techniques, structural bioinformatics analyses and molecular biology and biochemistry methods for RNA and protein production.
 
The publication list and research interests of this laboratory can also be found at: 
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jose_Gallego8;
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0627-6927.
 
•Who can apply: graduates in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or Pharmacy with a Master title. Candidates with related research experience and a good command of English will be preferred. Admission to the PhD school of UCV is required.
 
•Conditions: three-year Ph.D. contract with an immediate starting date and an initial gross annual salary of approximately €18,180. The contract covers Ph.D. school expenses.
 
•How to apply: applications should include a cover letter describing previous research experience and career goals, CV, academic records including average scores, and the contact data of two references. Please send applications to José Gallego ([email protected]) before September 30th 2025.