We are looking for a junior postdoctoral researcher interested in software development, bioinformatics and molecular modeling, and motivated to develop a career in an interdisciplinary and international team. Our big goal is to model RNA-ligand interactions, towards the development of new drugs, and to design new RNA molecules that bind to selected ligands. This project offers opportunities for international collaborations with academia and industry. We are one of the most successful RNA modeling teams in the world: see rankings of RNA Puzzles. We offer you a chance to be a part of this success as a software programmer or molecular modeler.
Key information about us:
We are an interdisciplinary team that combines basic science (to solve the mysteries of nature) and applied science (to make the discoveries practically useful). In our laboratory, software developers meet with experimental biologists, and high-throughput data analysis combines with sophisticated studies of individual biomacromolecules. We develop new computational methods, new tools for biotechnology, and molecules that will hopefully become drugs against diseases. Our current research goals are based on a wild ambition: to understand the structure of all RNA molecules that exist, and design molecules that do not exist yet.
We are driven towards publication and application of our results. Our recent focus and biggest successes are in computational and experimental analyses of RNA and protein-RNA complexes. For examples, see: Smietanski et al. Nature Commun 2014, Boniecki et al. Nucleic Acids Res 2015. We are also involved in efforts towards commercialization of our results.
We are hosted by IIMCB (iimcb.gov.pl), the top-ranked (A+) Polish research institute in biology. The institute provides cutting-edge equipment and facilities, in particular for bioinformatics (e.g. a computing cluster with >2000 cores), experimental molecular biology, and structural biology. IIMCB also provides support for science commercialization, development of spin-off companies etc.
We offer:
Contract 15000 PLN/month gross salary (~8000 PLN/month netto), with social security and benefits
Reduced-rate for individual medical care packages for you and your family
Reduced-rate memberships in MultiSport programme (www.benefitsystems.pl/en/for-you/multisport/)
Position with 100% focus on research (no teaching obligations)
Appointment starting 2 October 2017, funding guaranteed for 3 years, possible extension beyond this project.
Participation in courses, scientific training, support from peers, and academic mentoring
You will be a key member of a group working on a focused scientific project with well-defined goals that combines a big scientific challenge with opportunities to collaborate with other researchers. You will have access to modern equipment and support from other experienced researchers. The project provides opportunities for extensive interdisciplinary collaborations within the team and in the institute (e.g. with software developers, molecular modelers and experimentalists), as well as international collaborations with academia and industry. This project offers various opportunities including leading the development of a major software package, practical application of a new cutting edge modeling approach towards computational drug development. You will have many chances to make your collaborative research a success and you will be expected to present your results at scientific conferences and co-authorize scientific publications.
Disclaimer: The project "Modeling of dynamic interactions between RNA and small molecules and its practical applications" is carried out within the TEAM Programme, being a Grant Project of the Foundation for Polish Science funded by the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020 (SG OP), Axis IV: Increasing the research potential, Measure 4.4: Increasing the human potential in R&D sector.
TEAM-programmer: You will be a leading programmer in the development of a new method for modeling of RNA-ligand complexes, based on our successful tool SimRNA.
You must have skills in programming: experience with C/C++ is essential, coding in Python is advantageous. Experience in bioinformatics, molecular modeling etc. is advantageous, but not essential.
TEAM-modeler: You will be involved in the application of modeling methods to predict RNA 3D structures and their complexes with small molecules.
You must have experience in structural bioinformatics, molecular simulations, and/or computational chemistry. Experience in programming (especially C/C++ or Python) is advantageous, but not essential.
REQUIREMENTS:
- PhD in computer science, computational biology, computational chemistry, computational biophysics or related area, defended in 2012 or later
- Documented experience in programming (C/C++ & Python) and/or in molecular modeling
- Priority will be given to candidates with expertise most relevant to the project and to the general profile of the laboratory. The ability and interest to pursue challenging, interdisciplinary problems, and the ability to deliver results are essential. Highly motivated individuals with a strong desire to work in an interdisciplinary environment, who are comfortable working in strict collaboration with colleagues, and are willing to be directly responsible for their duties are encouraged to apply. To have an idea of the working activity of the host group, check the website genesilico.pl
We will collect applications until 14 July 2017
Apply now (or ask any questions you may have) to employment@genesilico.pl
In the subject include "postdoc-TEAM-programmer or postdoc-TEAM-modeller" and your first and last name.
Your application must be in English and should contain a CV, a motivation letter (What is your scientific dream and how to you want to fulfill it? What are your key strengths? Why do you want to work with us?), a list of your significant achievements, and contacts to at least two potential referees, including at least one former or current direct supervisor.
Please include the following statement in your application: "I hereby give consent for my personal data included in my application to be processed for the purposes of the recruitment process under the Personal Data Protection Act as of 29 August 1997, consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2016, item 922 as amended.”
Best candidates will be invited for an interview that will take place 19-21 July.