PhD fellowship in crystallography of G protein-coupled receptors The Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen is pleased to announce that a PhD fellowship will be available from Oct 1st 2105 or soon thereafter in discussion with strongest applicant. The application deadline is June 30th 2015.
Applications are invited for the three-year fellowship from applicants who hold or expect to hold a master´s degree in a relevant field. If the PhD project is successful, the employment can also be further extended with a two-year postdoc (already funded). Project description G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) form one of the largest human protein families and mediate the effect of 27% of current drugs. GPCR crystal structures are very valuable for understanding basic receptor structure and function, and as basis for rational drug design. Although still very challenging, technological breakthroughs have led to the determination of more than 110 GPCR crystal structures of 27 unique receptors. This project will reproduce an already crystallized receptor, the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1), transmembrane domain in complex with other ligands of interest to medicinal chemists at the Department. In parallel crystallization trials will be conducted for a new GPCR target. The first half of the PhD studies will be in the labs of Raymond Stevens and Vadim Cherezov, that have produced the only published mGlu1 structure and the largest number of structures of any group worldwide, and located at the iHuman Institute in Shanghai, China. The second half of the PhD will be supervised by Professor Jette Sandholm Kastrup, who has an outstanding track record in structural biology studies of the ionotropic glutamate receptors, and Section Head Michael Gajhede, at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The project is part of a larger project on orphan GPCRs led by David Gloriam. The PhD fellowship is financed by The Lundbeck Foundation and The Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology. Required qualifications The applicant must have: * obtained a Master´s degree in a relevant subject area prior to the starting date * fluency in English and excellent communication skills. Preferred qualifications We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a background in structural biology or biochemistry with a solid experience of protein expression and purification. Supervisors Professor Jette Sandholm Kastrup (main supervisor, email: j...@sund.ku.dk, direct phone: +45 35 33 64 86, Michael Gajhede (co-supervisor, email: m...@sund.ku.dk; direct phone: +45 35 33 64 07) and David E. Gloriam (project leader and co-supervisor, email: david.glor...@sund.ku.dk; direct phone: +45 35 33 61 62). Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. General job description Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty are to: * manage and carry through your research project * take PhD courses * write scientific articles and your PhD thesis * participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings * stay at an external research institution, preferably abroad * teach and disseminate your research * participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in pharmaceutical sciences Key criteria for the assessment of applicants * Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme * Relevant work experience * Previous publications * The grade point average achieved * Other professional activities * Language skills * The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills Formal requirements The position is available for a three-year period for applicants holding a relevant master´s degree. It is a prerequisite that the PhD candidate is enrolled as a PhD student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD programme at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education and the guidelines for the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The PhD fellow is expected to be affiliated to the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy. Terms of employment Salary and other terms of employment are stated in the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Questions For further information, applicants may contact the supervisor or Administrator Marianne W. Jørgensen, email: marianne.joergen...@sund.ku.dk, direct phone: +45 35 33 64 49. For more information on working and living in Denmark visit www.ism.ku.dk (International staff mobility) and www.workingconditions.ku.dk. How to apply Applicants are requested to submit their application electronically below including (in word or pdf): * Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page) * Full CV * Diploma and transcripts of records: Master´s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor´s and master´s degrees). Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used * Possible publication list * Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. Deadline for applications: June 30th 2015. Please note that only online applications will be accepted. Applications will be handled and processed by the supervisors and by a committee. An answer as to the granting of the fellowship can be expected approximately 4 weeks after application deadline. Michael Gajhede Professor Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Biostructural Research University of Copenhagen Jagtvej 162 2100 Copnhagen Ø Denmark TEL +45 35336000 DIR +45 35336407 m...@sund.ku.dk<mailto:m...@sund.ku.dk> www.ku.dk<http://www.ku.dk/> [Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: SUND_bomaerke_UK]
