Postdoctoral research associate Viral RNA modifications (2 years) Prague, Czech Republic

Description:
The young international group of Dr. Hana Cahová, located in Prague at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB), is looking for young talented and highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to join our team. The position is available immediately.

The IOCB is one of the best research institutes in central Europe with excellent equipment and core facilities located in new or reconstructed buildings close to the city center.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on one of the projects focused on the search for new RNA modifications especially in virus. The goal of Dr. Cahová research is an in-depth study of the chemical structure of viral RNA molecules (both coding and non-coding) of mammalian viruses (DNA and RNA) by means of mass spectrometry (MS) and chemical biology. After detection of any modification or conjugate, new chemical or chemo-enzymatic methods will be employed or developed to identify modified RNA sequences. Once the function of modified RNA has been elucidated, the biogenesis, biodegradation and mechanisms of interaction of viral RNA with host cell targets will be the objective of further studies.

Candidate requirements:

• Ph.D. degree in the field of molecular biology or biochemistry (obtained or soon to be)
• Excellent theoretical knowledge and practical experience in molecular biology and/or chemical biology
• At least one first author publication in a relevant journal
• Highly motivated person with strong interest in research
• Experience in RNA biology, RNA chemistry or MS analysis of small molecules welcomed

All the applicants should send their CV with list of publications, motivation letter and contact details of 2-3 referees to Dr. Hana Cahová (cahova@uochb.cas.cz) with subject POSTDOC_HC_2017.

Selected relevant publications:
Winz M.-L. et al.: Nature Protocols, 2017
Cahová H. et al.: Nature, 2015

Postdoctoral position in Biochemistry

We are seeking a highly motivated individual who is willing to accept the challenge of cutting edge research of insulin, insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2) and their cognate receptors.

Job Description: This program could provide understanding of the structural basis for the different cellular responses - metabolic and mitogenic - generated by insulin, IGF-1 and IGF-2, respectively. This effort could also result in insulin receptor isoform (IR-B or IR-A) selective insulins or IGF-1 receptor selective agonists or antagonists. Such molecules could find applications in treatment of diabetes or cancer. From January 2018 till December 2020, the program will be funded by a recently awarded Medical Research Council grant (MRC, U.K.).

Successful applicant for this postdoctoral position will be an outstanding self-driven person who will explore the recombinant preparation of insulin and IGF-1 and IGF-2 analogues and other proteins altogether with a contribution towards biological and physicochemical characterization of analogues. Experience with cloning, site-directed mutagenesis and recombinant production of proteins is required.

Located in the stunning city of Prague, our research facilities comprise a state-of-the-art instrumentation portfolio.

Requirements: Applicant must have Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular biology or a closely related discipline. The candidates must be a first author on at least 2 publications. This position requires prior experience in biochemistry and molecular biology. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required as well as the ability to conduct independent scientific investigations. Position is for at least 12 months starting from January 1^st 2018 with possible extension.

How to apply: Please submit cover letter, CV, and contact information for 2-3 references combined into one PDF file by e-mail to: jiracek@uochb.cas.cz

Contacts: Jiří Jiráček, Ph.D.
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the ASCR
Flemingovo n. 542/2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
✉: jiracek@uochb.cas.cz
Group web page

Postdoctoral fellow in synthetic organic chemistry/medicinal chemistry

We are seeking a highly competent and self-motivated postdoctoral researcher in the area of synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Job Description: This project is focused at c-myc G-quadruplex and the aim is to design its novel binders with high affinity and selectivity. To this end, target guided chemistries will be employed. The synthetic efforts will be informed by theoretical chemistry to propose novel ligands. Small molecule candidate binders identified will be characterized by in vitro techniques such as FRET-melting assay and polymerase stop assay.

Requirements: Successful applicants are expected to have Ph.D. in organic chemistry. Previous experience from a medicinal chemistry project is an advantage. The candidates must be an author of at least 2-3 publications. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required as well as the ability to conduct independent scientific investigations. Position is for one year with possible extension.

How to apply: Please submit cover letter, CV, and contact information for 2-3 references combined into one PDF file by e-mail to: teply@uochb.cas.cz

Contacts:
Filip Teplý, Ph.D.
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, CAS
Flemingovo nám. 542/2
166 10 Prague 6
Czech Republic
✉: teply@uochb.cas.cz

Postdoc / Research Associate – screening and diagnostics technology development

• Are you a talented scientist with experience in biochemistry or molecular biology?
• Do you want to contribute to the transition of basic research to real world applications?
• Do you want to be a part of a dynamic team with entrepreneurial atmosphere?

Who we are
We have developed a novel proprietary assay called DIANA, which is suitable for ultrasensitive and selective enzyme detection and inhibitor screening (Navratil et al. 2017 in Nucl. Acids Res.). This multiwell plate based assay utilizing DNA-linked probe for target detection offers several unique advantages over existing approaches both in in vitro diagnostics and in early drug discovery. The commercial applications of the assay are being developed in collaboration with major industrial partners.
We are based in the laboratory of Jan Konvalinka at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences in Prague. We greatly benefit from available expertise and excellent experimental facilities in the institute, which has a global reputation and strong record in drug discovery. We also plan to found a spin-off company in the near future in order to deliver our products to the market.

What responsibilities you will have
In this position, you will be a part of a multidisciplinary team that seeks further development of the DIANA assay for novel targets and for novel applications. You will be expected to deliver closely coordinated specific developmental tasks but you will also drive your independent research projects.
You will employ molecular biology methods, such as qPCR, molecular cloning, western-blotting, enzyme kinetics and multiwell plate based assays, as well as cell culture, protein expression and purification techniques. You will also contribute to protocol automatization and development of the assay to a standardized kit format.
While the main criteria of success is successful introduction of DIANA to diagnostics and screening markets, we also expect that you will author several research publications in high impact journals.

Who you are
You have a doctorate degree or 4 years of equivalent scientific experience in biochemistry, molecular biology or related field. You have experience with PCR, molecular cloning, recombinant protein expression, cell culture and working with antibodies. Experience with immunoassays such as ELISA and/or research background in kinases, methyltransferases or GPCRs is a plus.
You are friendly, enthusiastic, team oriented and skilled person with a strong inner drive. You are organized and able to plan and conduct your work independently and to take responsibility for end-to-end delivery of developmental projects. You are not afraid to work on multiple challenges in parallel and at the same time, you pay attention to details. Your fluent English and strong communication skills enables you to facilitate research collaborations. You are motivated to contribute to the technology development and interested to work on an interface of academic and applied research.

The position is available starting immediately. You will be offered a competitive salary with an initial 1-year contract, which can be later extended for another 1-2 years. You will also get an opportunity to join a newly established company.

We are looking forward to receiving your motivation letter and CV (incl. list of publications and two reference contacts) to vaclav.navratil@uochb.cas.cz.

Postdoc position - IOCB Prague

Job description (Projects):

• Development of a molecular toolkit for control and investigation of the bacterial stringent response
• Development of novel antibacterials termed lipophosphonoxins
• Design and synthesis of azanuceloside phosphonates and -boronates as inhibitors of 6-oxopurine phosphoribosyltransferases and their prodrugs as potential drugs against malaria and tuberculosis.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Organic chemistry (synthesis, separation techniques, characterization – NMR, MS, LC-MS, IR..)
• English language

Salary: 36 000 CZK (Gross)

Start date: April 2017

Benefits:

• Employee benefits
• Extra week of vacation
• Walking distance from Metro station Dejvická

How to apply: Motivation letter and CV should be sent to Dr. Dominik Rejman (rejman@uochb.cas.cz).

Master / Ph.D. student - Ion Channels in Neurological Disorders

The Ion Channels and Diseases lab of Dr. Norbert Weiss (www.theweisslab.com) at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in Prague, Czech Republic, is looking for a motivated Master/PhD student interested in studying the molecular and cellular basis of neuronal disorders linked to calcium channels. The project involves functional analysis of calcium channel activity in cell lines and primary neurons by patch-clamp electrophysiology, confocal microscopy, in combination with various techniques of molecular biology and biochemistry.

Work in the lab focuses on the molecular physiology of T-type calcium channels, with an emphasis on elucidating the molecular mechanisms and actors controlling their trafficking to the cell surface, in normal and pathological conditions.

The lab is located at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (www.uochb.cz), which is a leading and interdisciplinary research center with international faculty and students.

Your profile
The position will be available starting as immediately as February 2017 and is open for Master and Ph.D. students in a relevant field (neuroscience, biology), and ideally prior experience in patch clamp electrophysiology. Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae, a description of their scientific interest and the name and contact information of up to three references who are able to comment on your academic background to weiss@uochb.cas.cz. A good command in English is a requirement. We are looking forward to receiving your application.

Research and development specialist/Technician (Dr. F. Teplý group)

Job description:

• We develop inhibitors of expression of c-myc gene, which is decisive for the majority of oncologic disorders. The inhibitory effect is based on stabilization of secondary structures in the promoter of c-myc gene.
• The work will include analysis of substances in vitro by polymerase stop method (radioactive version), FRET melting and thermophoresis. Best compounds will be further tested in selected cell lines (toxicity, analysis of the expression level of mRNA and protein).

We offer:

• Interesting work in interdisciplinary research environment focused at developing new anticancer drug candidates.
• Work in a young and dynamic international team on the border of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology.
• Support for continuing education and personal growth (courses).
• Work contract (full-time employment) for 1 year with possibility of extension for three years.
• Place of work: IOCB, CAS, Prague 6.

Requirements:

• University degree (Mgr., Ing., or Bc.) in biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology or related field.
• Reliability, responsibility, flexibility.
• Willingness to learn new methodological procedures, manual skills, a positive attitude to science and research (internal motivation).
• Knowledge of English and good computer skills (MS Office).
• The position is suitable for fresh graduates, laboratory experience is an advantage.

How to apply:

• Motivation letter and CV should be sent to Dr. Filip Teplý (teply@uochb.cas.cz).
• Possible start immediately.

Postdoctoral position in Biochemistry/Structural Biology: Prague, Czech Republic

We are seeking a highly motivated individual who is willing to accept the challenge of cutting edge research at the interface biochemistry/structural biology of G-quadruplexes.

Job Description: This project is focused mainly at c-myc G-quadruplex and will also involve evaluation of small molecule ligands using techniques of biochemistry/molecular biology. Successful applicant for this postdoc position will be an outstanding self-driven person who will primarily explore the crystallizations of promoter G-quadruplexes with small molecule ligands. The aim is to elucidate molecular details of their interaction. Innovative crystallization approaches will be pursued. Located in the stunning city of Prague, our research facilities comprise a state-of-the-art instrumentation portfolio.

Requirements: Applicant must have Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry or a closely related discipline. The candidates must be a first author on at least 2-3 publications. This position requires prior experience in biochemistry and structural biology techniques. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required as well as the ability to conduct independent scientific investigations. Position is for one year with possible extension.

How to apply: Please submit cover letter, CV, and contact information for 2-3 references combined into one PDF file by e-mail to: teply@uochb.cas.cz and rezacova@uochb.cas.cz

Contacts:
Filip Teplý, Ph.D. and Pavlína Řezáčová, Ph.D.
Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CAS, v.v.i.
Flemingovo nám. 542/2
166 10 Prague 6
Czech Republic
✉: teply@uochb.cas.cz / rezacova@uochb.cas.cz