Research Associate in Chemical Biology in Glycoscience

Role Description

Role

Applications are invited for two Postdoctoral Researcher positions to work on the structural and chemical enzymology of the enzymes of glycobiology, in the domains of human genetic disease, cancer, viral invasion and bacterial pathogenesis. The work is funded by an ERC-Synergy grant to York, Barcelona and Leiden and is available for up to 36 months.  You will be supervised by Professor Gideon Davies, FRS, and will work in the ERC-Synergy team in the York Structural Biology Laboratory, within Chemistry.

You will conduct research into gene expression and structural enzymology of carbohydrate-active enzymes. You will apply activity-based probes, and other chemical biology methods to key enzymes involved in human health.  The ultimate goal is to apply activity-based proteomics methods, in collaboration with Leiden and Barcelona, to identify, image and disrupt key enzyme systems involved in human glycobiology.

Key responsibilities

To conduct research into the application of activity-based probes to the detection and analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes featuring structural analysis of key enzyme targets. The two posts, between them, must cover the following areas:

• Mammalian and insect cell gene expression and protein production for structural and kinetic analyses
• Enzyme production using both bacterial systems
• Enzyme characterisation and inhibition
• Ligand-bound structure solution by X-ray crystallography: crystallisation, data collection and structure solution / refinement / deposition
• Single particle CryoEM using the in-house Glacios system and eBIC

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• A first degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or related area
• A PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Molecular biology, Microbiology or related area
• Enthusiasm for carbohydrate-active enzymes, including structures and mechanisms
• Skill in gene expression, preferably in mammalian or insect cell systems
• Skill in CryoEM or X-ray crystallography or activity-based probes
• Knowledge of work in the Davies Research group (from wider reading) and an understanding of the work of ERC-Synergy partners Carme Rovira in Barcelona and Hermen Overkleeft in Leiden
• Well-developed analytical skills, experience of undertaking high quality research in relevant areas

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Prof Gideon Davies on gideon.davies@york.ac.uk

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork