Hi all,
We have an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral research scientist to study the physical properties of viral enzymes that allow them to evolve resistance to anti-viral drugs. This project will use advanced computation biology approaches,
enzymology and structural biology to define structurally invariant regions of the SARS-CoV-2 MPro protease. This will inform the design of future therapies that reduce/prevent the evolution of drug resistance and may illuminate how evolution of
resistance mutations will affect the potency of MPro drugs already in clinical trials. This project is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge (UK) and Rhodes University (South Africa), funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation as part of
the Pandemic Antiviral Discovery (PAD) initiative (see
https://padinitiative.com/awarded-grants/rhodes-university-ozlem-tastan-bishop/).
The successful candidate will be based in my lab within the Virology Division, Department of Pathology, on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus – Europe’s largest biomedical research centre. Cambridge is a great place to work: we have access
to shiny instruments for modern biophysical and structural research, we have regular data collection time at Diamond Light Source, there are lots of smart people who you can talk science with, there are old buildings where you can dress up in funny gowns to
have dinner in wood-panelled rooms, and it’s small enough that you can either walk or cycle to most places you need to be. There’s even a river running through it with cows grazing on the banks. If you are a biochemists/enzymologist/structural biologist who
wants to work with an international multidisciplinary team to address fundamental research questions with direct relevance to human health and pandemic preparedness, we want to hear from you!
Full details of the post and how to apply can be found at
https://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/42708/. Please note that you must apply through the website – applications emailed to me can’t be considered but I am happy to answer any specific questions you might have.
Cheers,
Stephen
—
Prof. Stephen Graham
School of Biological Sciences Theme Leader: Infection and
Immunity
Department of Pathology
University of Cambridge
Tennis Court Road
Cambridge CB2 1QP
http://www.atomicvirology.path.cam.ac.uk/