This is posted on behalf of Dr. Fiona Marshall at Heptares. The
Heptares web site for applications is:
http://home.btconnect.com/heptares/vacancies.html
Please respond using the web site or the Email address below, not to me.
Andrew Leslie
Structural Biologist/Crystallographer
Heptares is a new drug discovery company located in Hertfordshire UK,
working on G protein coupled receptors across a range of therapeutic
areas. We are using a unique structure based approach, which
originated from work at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in
Cambridge, to characterise this important family of receptors and
develop novel innovative therapeutics for the treatment of disease.
We have recently established a state of the art laboratory for membrane
protein crystallography. We are now seeking an enthusiastic and
motivated scientist with experience in protein crystallisation and
structure determination to assist Heptares in obtaining novel GPCRs
structures and ligand co-structures for drug discovery. This is an
exceptional opportunity to participate in cutting edge science whilst
helping to grow an industry-leading drug discovery company.
The successful candidate will work closely with the protein engineering
and expression team responsible for the generation of pure stabilised
GPCRs. In addition the role will include close collaboration with
medicinal and computational chemists involved in structure based drug
design
It is expected that some candidates will have broad experience of
protein purification through to structure whilst others may wish to
focus on crystallography.
The role will include some or all of the following depending on the
candidate:
• Develop and optimise protocols for receptor purification with a view
to crystallisation
• Develop protocols for crystallisation of novel stabilised GPCRs
• Set up crystallisation screens and optimise conditions for GPCR
crystals
• Data collection at synchrotrons (Diamond and ESRF)
• Structure determination of protein ligand complexes
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have:
• A PhD or equivalent in biophysics, structural biology or related
discipline
• At least 5 years experience within a research environment either in
academia or industry.
• Experience in protein purification and crystallisation
• Extensive skills in X-ray macromolecular crystallography
• Analytical thinking and critical problem solving skills.
• Experience of working with membrane proteins would be an advantage as
would experience of working in a drug discovery environment where
structural studies are used to drive medicinal chemistry
• Excellent time management skills and an ability to work independently.
• An interest in G protein coupled receptors and drug discovery.
Further information can be found on our website (www.heptares.com).
Applications should be sent to i...@heptares.com.
