Doktor till research centre inom next generation drug delivery

We are looking for a PostDoc who wants to be a part of The Wilhelmsson research group and contribute to the fundamental knowledge and novel technologies that will allow successful delivery of RNA-based drugs. A unique opportunity for you to work in a scientific area of great importance in a novel setting with industry and excellent academic groups from various disciplines working hand in hand.

Information about the research/the project/the division
The rapid development of RNA and other nucleic acid-based drug modalities is about to entirely change the drug discovery arena. But with these promising high molecular weight drug candidates we are also facing new and challenging problems; discovery and development of functional delivery solutions for nucleic acid-based drugs is of importance for clinical success. To meet this challenge, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) has decided to invest in eight years of interdisciplinary and intersectorial research. This has resulted in the FoRmulaEx consortium – an industrial research centre (IRC) for functional nucleic acid delivery, read more here.

Headed by Chalmers University of Technology and with AstraZeneca as the lead industrial partner, the centre, which also includes Gothenburg University, Karolinska Institute and additional partner companies, will enable academic research to bridge existing knowledge gaps and drive innovation in this area of high interest. The overall goal is to create fundamental knowledge and novel technologies that will allow successful translation of RNA modalities into the clinic. This is a unique opportunity to work in a scientific and engineering area of great importance in a novel setting with industry and excellent academic groups from various disciplines working hand in hand.

The Wilhelmsson research group, as part of FoRmulaEx, now invites applications for a PostDoc position in the field of organic/medicinal chemistry. The specific goals of the Wilhelmsson research group are to develop novel label/probe molecules for DNA/RNA systems, new improved fluorescence techniques for biochemical and biological investigations and use these labels/probes and techniques to study the delivery process of next generation drugs as well as DNA/RNA-protein interactions both structurally and dynamically.

The Wilhelmsson research group is part of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The division is pursuing research in organic/medicinal chemistry, biophysical chemistry, optical spectroscopy, electrophoresis, nanotechnology, analytical chemistry and energy/electron transfer reactions. The projects at the division are chosen to fulfil the requirements of the highest scientific standard, and the know-how they create on a molecular level is generally of importance for solving many advanced problems as well as for future practical applications. The span of potential applications is extremely wide: from life sciences to materials sciences.

Major responsibilities
As a PostDoc you will be a member of the Wilhelmsson research group and be working in a subproject of the FoRmulaEx industrial research centre dealing with RNA/oligonucleotide synthesis, development of nucleic acid fluorescence labels, fluorescence-based probe design and characterization. Your main research objectives will be to design and synthesize novel biomimetic fluorophores for nucleic acids as well as to design and synthesize natural and modified oligonucleotides for next generation drug delivery related research. The daily synthesis work will be performed at AstraZeneca R&D Gothenburg which is 10 minutes away from the Chalmers’ campus area where the spectroscopy and microscopy will be performed.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of PostDoc, you must have a doctoral degree in a relevant field such as  medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry or an equivalent education.

For this position we see previous PostDoc experience as meritorious. We also see experience in heterocycle synthesis, purification and characterization; experience in bioorganic modifications of nucleic acids; knowledge in oligonucleotide design, synthesis and purification; knowledge in UV/Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence as well as microscopy as valuable.

We are looking for you who can work independently but also in collaboration with the group members and as a part of the FoRmulaEx team. Furthermore, we see that you can plan and organize your own work, take own initiatives and responsibility, be analytical and creative and be able to deliver results in time for the rest of the FoRmulaEx team. You also need to be able to report to the multidisciplinary FoRmulaEx team and, hence, need good communication skills and an interest for multidisciplinary research.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg.  
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
Read more about the application procedure by reading the ad on Chalmers webpage. Click here.

Application deadline: 15 of September - 2020

For questions, please contact:
Professor Marcus Wilhelmsson, Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry
marcus.wilhelmsson@chalmers.se
+46(0)31 7723051