Postdoctoral Fellow in Biophysics at ILL – Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France. The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) is an international centre for scientific research situated in Grenoble, France. It is Europe’s leading neutron science facility. We receive over 2000 visiting scientists per year to carry out world-class research in a wide variety of scientific fields.
This position is funded by the EU SINE2020 project and aims to develop methods that enhance the efficiency and quality of neutron diffraction methods in structural biology, supporting developments in this area at existing and future neutron beam sources in Europe. The ILL’s Science Division currently has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Fellow (m/f) – Biophysics.
Key Responsibilities / Duties:
This position will be held within ILL’s Life Sciences Group, located in the Grenoble Partnership for Structural Biology (PSB – http://www.psb-grenoble.eu/). Your work will focus on the development of protein crystallogenesis methods for the production of large crystals suitable for neutron protein crystallography (NMX). The project involves partners from Jülich & Munich (FRM-II) and Lund (ESS), and also engages with the pharmaceuticals sector, where there is interest in the information that can be produced using NMX methods. There is also interest in automating the approaches developed, and the project involves a company that has extensive experience in robotic approaches for crystallogenesis.
Specific tasks will include:
- production and purification of proteins and characterisation in terms of their phase diagrams;
- evaluation of wide range of approaches for large crystal growth, including potential robotic approaches;
- testing of crystal systems on neutron diffractometers at ILL and FRM-II, and structure analysis;
- production of reports and organisation of workshops/meetings associated with the project.
The project will involve interaction with partners/collaborators at FRM-II, Jülich, the European Spallation neutron Source (ESS) in Lund, and scientists from GlaxoSmithKline, Douglas Instruments, CFEL (DESY, Hamburg) and ISIS (RAL).
Requirements / Qualifications and experience:
You hold a PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry or an appropriate physical science.
We are particularly interested in highly motivated candidates with good experience of protein purification, crystallisation and associated analysis skills.
Language skills:
As an international research centre, we are particularly keen to ensure that we also attract applicants from outside France. You must have a sound knowledge of English and be willing to learn French (a language course will be paid for by the ILL). Knowledge of German would be an advantage.
Notes:
Post-Doctoral contract of 18 months, renewable for a further 6 to 18-month period.
Only candidates holding a PhD obtained less than 2 years ago are eligible for Post-doctoral positions.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Head of the Life Sciences group, Prof. Trevor Forsyth, tforsyth@ill.eu or via http://www.ill.eu/lsg (please do not send your application to this address).
Benefits:
Generous company benefits (expatriation allowance), relocation assistance and language courses may be offered for you and your spouse (for more information, please consult our employment conditions).
Application Procedure: How to apply-
Please submit your application on-line with a list of publications and the name of 3 references (including one from your present work place), no later than 31.12.2015, via our web site: http://www.ill.eu/careers (vacancy reference:15/20). The interviews will take place in January 2016.