Postdoc position in Synthesis of novel fluorescent DNA/RNA nucleos(t)ides

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering promotes research and education for sustainable development, for improved health and quality of life. Our research ranges from natural science and bioscience, applied chemistry and biotechnology to chemical engineering. Our educational programs are characterized by technological solutions for improving people’s everyday life, and are continuously developed for meeting and promoting societal and industrial development.

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Information about the research group
The specific goals of the research group are to develop novel probe molecules for DNA/RNA systems, new improved fluorescence techniques for biochemical investigations and use fluorescent probes and techniques to study DNA/RNA-protein interactions both structurally and dynamically. For more information see homepage of the Wilhelmsson group and recent publications listed there:
http://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/chem/research/chembiochem/ResearchGroups/Pages/WilhelmssonResearch.aspx

Information about the project
Applications are invited for a PostDoc position in organic chemistry with an aim to synthesise a range of novel fluorescent nucleic acid base analogues. The overall goal is to make significantly brighter fluorescent analogues of the natural nucleobases than currently available, to develop nucleobase FRET-pairs covering all possible base combinations and use these novel probes in biological and nanotechnological systems.

The work will enable you to combine modelling, organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry, parallel synthesis, catalysis and analytical skills. You will work with PostDocs and PhD students in the Wilhelmsson group, who will carry out spectral characterization of the newly developed base analogues. The base analogues will also be utilized in biochemical/ biological/nanotechnological investigations, mostly on ensemble level but also possibly down to single molecule studies. Depending on your interest and background knowledge you could also, to a smaller or larger extent, take part in the characterization and utilization part of the project.

The successful candidate will join the Wilhelmsson group and be employed at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers but most of the work will be performed at AstraZeneca, Mölndal, just 10 minutes from the Chalmers campus. There the candidate will join a small team of dedicated chemists from Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg working on similar projects and get access to one of the best chemistry infrastructures in the world. The candidate will have continuous contact with and supervision from the group leader, Marcus Wilhelmsson. Moreover, the team at AstraZeneca get onsite supervision from highly skilled chemists, led by Dr. Eric Wellner, and also from Professor Morten Grøtli, Department of Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, University of Gothenburg, with whom the Wilhelmsson group has been collaborating for a long time.

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

Qualifications
To qualify for the position as a postdoc, you must have a doctoral degree in chemistry or closely related field; the degree should generally not be older than three years. You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching/supervision, and to demonstrate good potential within research.

You should have significant experience in synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, parallel synthesis, or methodology development. An interest or experience in nucleoside/nucleotide chemistry and biophysical chemistry is preferred. In addition, a successful candidate will be highly motivated, have a good publication record, have good personal references and be a team player.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20130442 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically via Chalmers webpage.

Application deadline: January 31, 2014

For questions, please contact:
Associate professor Marcus Wilhelmsson, marcus.wilhelmsson @chalmers.se; +46 31-772 3051




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