Postdoc: Novel molecular degraders of extracellular proteins

Postdoctoral Fellow: Novel molecular degraders of extracellular proteins

Gothenburg, Sweden

Do you have expertise in or a passion for applying chemical biology thinking to solve difficult problems in small molecule drug discovery? Are you hungry to identify the next big thing at the interface between chemistry and biology that will impact treating serious diseases? Then this postdoc opportunity at AstraZeneca might be the one for you!



About the Postdoc Programme:

Bring your expertise, apply your knowledge, follow the science, and make a difference. AstraZeneca's Postdoc Programme is for self-motivated individuals looking to deliver exciting, high-impact projects in a collaborative, engaging and innovative environment. You'll work with multidisciplinary scientific teams from a diverse set of backgrounds and a world-class academic mentor specifically aligned to your project. Our postdocs are respected as specialists, encouraged to speak up, and supported to share their research at conferences, publish papers, achieve their goals, and make a difference to our patients.

This is a 3-year programme, with an initial 2-year period and 1 year merit-based extension.



About the Opportunity:

In Discovery Sciences, we apply the latest technologies to identify and validate novel drug targets and to identify and optimise therapeutic agents, partnering across AstraZeneca's Therapy Areas (TA). As a result, we enable the discovery of medicines across the entire lifecycle. Our technology platforms continue to drive target selection and the creation and optimisation of new leads to deliver the next generation of medicines.

We are now looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow, who has a passion for or experience in chemical biology and innovative cell biology approaches, to study the internalisation and subsequent degradation of extracellular proteins by using novel bifunctional degraders.

You will design, plan, and complete studies utilising small bifunctional molecules to mediate the degradation of extracellular proteins. This will be achieved by studying bifunctional small molecule-mediated endocytosis, including cell cultivation, flow cytometry, ternary complex formation assays, microscopy studies, and in vitro degradation assays. This will harness an entirely novel way of recruiting extracellular proteins for endocytosis and subsequent degradation by lysosomal proteases.

You will collaborate with scientists and postdocs from several fields within and across our global community, have a high level of control and influence over the project, and ample opportunities to learn new technical and leadership skills.

As part of the programme, you´ll be supported by highly experienced scientists in the Mechanistic and Structural Biology Department (MSB) and the Medicinal Chemistry Department in the Early Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism Therapeutic Area, covering all required fields to deliver these studies. The MSB department has leading capabilities in biophysics, crystallography, cryo-EM, enzymology, and cellular pharmacology.

This project will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Herbert Waldmann, who is currently heading the Chemical Genomics Center of the Max Planck Society with over 500 peer-reviewed scientific publications. This collaboration will serve as an excellent catalyst to publish the findings of studies in high-quality/high-impact journals.



Qualification, Skills & Experience:

Essential Requirements

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PhD in cell biology, chemical biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, or a related field
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Proven expertise in the application of biochemical and cellular assays and technologies to study endocytosis and protein degradation
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Extensive knowledge of interrogating cell biology, ranging from mechanistic analysis of cellular processes to the development, function, and dynamics of complex biological systems
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Proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals

Desirable Requirements

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Capable of working within and across a diverse team, but able to plan and problem-solve independently
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Attention to detail and capacity to communicate technical/scientific concepts clearly and concisely to audiences of varied backgrounds
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Positive, goal-oriented and problem-solving attitude
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Experience with flow cytometry, high content imaging or biophysical technologies (SPR)
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Awareness of recent developments in the fields of chemical biology and targeted protein degradation as a novel treatment modality is advantageous



Why Should You Apply?

As a respected specialist, you'll be empowered to take credible risks, own it and run with it, with all the support you need. Because like you, we're passionate and driven experts looking to change the game, and make an impact.



Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can't wait to hear from you!



Advert Opens: October 10th 2022

Advert Closes: November 13th 2022



Where can I find out more?

Our Gothenburg site: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/sweden

AstraZeneca's Postdoc Programme: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/postdocs-astrazeneca

Life at AstraZeneca: https://careers.astrazeneca.com/life-at-astrazeneca