. . """Job title Postdoctoral Scientist – Protein Biochemistry & Structural Biology Division Medical Sciences Department Nuffield Department of Medicine Location Target Discovery Institute, NDM Research Building, Old Road Campus, Heading, Oxford, OX3 7BN Grade and salary Grade 7: Salary in range £36,024- £44,263 per annum Hours Full time Contract type Fixed term contract until 30 April 2025 Reporting to Dr Kilian Huber, Principal Investigator Vacancy reference 164588 Additional information Funding provided by DBT, EUbOPEN The role The CMD Chemical Biology Group is seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist with extensive experience in protein purification, biophysical characterization of protein ligand interactions, functional assay development as well as crystallization and structure determination of proteins. Our aim is to develop highly specific and potent chemical tool molecules that can be used to study the function of key signaling proteins in cellular systems with relevance to human disease. The focus of the research project will be the structural and functional exploration of proteins involved in RNA modifications, and the design, identification and characterization of first-in-class chemical ligands. The project milestones are very ambitious and you will have to be a self-motivated, skillful scientist in order to make a strong contribution to the project. Experience in preclinical drug development would be beneficial but is not a requirement. You will have a strong academic track record and experience in protein biochemistry and structural biology. You will work in a multidisciplinary team involving industry collaborations and strong communication skills will be therefore required. Responsibilities You will:              Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves small scale project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate Establish efficient expression and purification systems of RNA modifying enzymes. Unravel the molecular mechanisms of substrate recognition and allosteric regulation by cocrystallization of chemical fragments/ligands, substrates or complex partners with target proteins. Develop biochemical assays and study the interaction of low molecular weight modulators to these protein interaction domains and understand the SAR (structure activity relationship) of compound classes with the goal to develop a highly selective first- in-class chemical probes. Coordinate this project with other internal and external partners and provide progress reports. Contribute to the scientific output by publishing high quality manuscripts and by representing the group on scientific meetings. Supervise junior and technical staff. Use effective communication on a day-to-day basis, both orally and in writing. Carry out any other relevant duties as may reasonably be associated with the post and which may be required from time to time. Participate in and support the public engagement and widening access activities of the Department and the University. This is anticipated to be not more than 2 days per year. Undertake mandatory training as required by the University, Division and Department. The specific list of training courses may change from time-to-time, in response to both legal and internal University requirements. 1 Selection criteria Essential             Hold a PhD (or near completion) in protein biochemistry and structural biology Have an excellent academic track record (at least one first author publication in an expert journal). Experience in protein crystallization and optimization of protein crystals. Experience in cryo-electron microscopy. Extensive experience in cloning and recombinant protein purification using bacterial, insect cell and mammalian host systems. Demonstrable experience in biochemical assay development using various read-outs and biophysical ligand binding methods such as isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to collaborate with colleagues on a range of diverse projects. Experience in supervising students and/or technical personnel. Excellent organisation and project management skills. Familiarity with databases and software necessary for protein structure determination, and MS Office products (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) Excellent oral presentation and written communication skills including experience independently writing scientific reports and manuscripts as well as project proposals. Knowledge of appropriate Health & Safety procedures, observe local codes of practice and observe & (if necessary) write COSHH assessments for all procedures used. Desirable     Experience in RNA biology. Experience in chemical probe development or drug discovery. Experience in working in a high throughput environment and lab automation. Experience in working with interdisciplinary teams. Pre-employment screening Standard checks If you are offered the post, the offer will be subject to standard pre-employment checks. You will be asked to provide: proof of your right-to-work in the UK; proof of your identity; and (if we haven’t done so already) we will contact the referees you have nominated. You will also be asked to complete a health declaration so that you can tell us about any health conditions or disabilities for which you may need us to make appropriate adjustments. Please read the candidate notes on the University’s pre-employment screening procedures at: https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/pre-employment-checks 2 Hazard-specific / Safety-critical duties This job includes hazards or safety-critical activities. If you are offered the post, you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire which will be assessed by our Occupational Health Service, and the offer of employment will be subject a successful outcome of this assessment. The hazards or safety-critical duties involved are as follows:   Lone Working Work with any substance which has any of the following pictograms on their MSDS: 3 About the University of Oxford Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford’s researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts. We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution. While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities and we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, and in recent years we have spun out 15-20 new companies every year. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise. Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford. For more information, please visit www.ox.ac.uk/about/organisation. About the Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM) The Nuffield Department of Medicine aims to improve healthcare internationally through its research and teaching. Over the last fifty years, it has pioneered the use of genetics, structural and cellular biology to understand susceptibility to human disease; at the same time, it remains a department of clinical medicine with a clinical interface at the core of its success. The NDM is the largest department in the University of Oxford and the largest department of medicine in Europe by research income. The department is organised around a series of strong and identifiably unique institutes, centres and units; but its aim is to be as non-hierarchical and closely-knit as possible, to encourage the very best interactions and the exchange of ideas between its staff. It supports teaching to encourage the very best students to join academic research. It maintains a £800m portfolio of externally funded research from over 140 different sponsors/funders, and has an annual turnover approaching £200m. The department’s activity is run directly through the University, but also through a series of subsidiary companies and other legal vehicles, tailored to the activity and the countries within which it operates. Across these vehicles and partnerships, the department has over 3,000 staff and students working solely on, or supporting, its research and teaching; and 1,000 of these staff are based in Oxford. The NDM holds collaborative grants with ~40 other departments or centres in the University of Oxford. The NDM is recognised for its diverse impacts in the field of healthcare. These range from the discovery of the mechanism of hypoxic gene regulation (Sir Peter Ratcliffe, Nobel Prize 2019) to the worldwide introduction of artemisinin and combination therapy for malaria (Sir Nick White and others). The underlying strength of the department, and its ability to bring together disciplines, has been evident through its contributions to the pandemic response, including: ISARIC and its overseas activity, IDDO and TGHN, the work of the Africa-Asia Programmes, the Oxford-AZ vaccine, elucidating the structural biology of variants and neutralising antibodies, the Office of National Statistics study, the UK Serology Surveillance platform, the standard testing of commercial assays for the Government, Mobile Apps, RECOVERY trial leading to the worldwide use of dexamethasone, the NHS cohort studies, the COMBAT study. This activity has certainly saved more than 2m lives during the pandemic. 4 The major strategic plans of the NDM are built around, (1) establishing a step-change in to clinical pathology and the study of human disease in all clinical specialities; (2) accelerating the discovery of new medicines; and (3) addressing the burden of worldwide infectious disease, including emerging threats. The GSK-Oxford Molecular and Computational Medicine Institute (MCMI) is aligned with this vision and will be primarily based in its Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics and Big Data Institute with strong links to other departments and its overseas activity. The NDM has a strong commitment to careers and equality of opportunity and treatment. The Department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of the commitment made to promote gender equality through our organisational and cultural practices and our efforts to improve the working environment for both men and women. For more information, please see the NDM pages of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. For more information on NDM please visit: https://www.ndm.ox.ac.uk The NDM Research Building and Target Discovery Institute (TDI) Situated on the Old Road Campus this new building represents the latest phase in continued development of the Medical Research Campus. This £22M new building allows the development of the Target Discovery Institute and expansion of existing research groups of NDM with research synergies. The building is 5,300 sq m (GIA) laboratory and office space housing some 160 research and support staff. The NDM Research Building constructed for the Nuffield Department of Medicine includes the Target Discovery Institute (TDI) with many academic partners. These include the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and BHF Centre of Research Excellence (BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Target Discovery), Department of Radiation Oncology and Biology, Ludwig Cancer Institute, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Structural Genomics Consortium and the Department of Chemistry. The TDI consists of six research groups covering high-throughput biology (Ebner group), advanced biological mass spectrometry (Kessler group), medicinal chemistry (Brennan group), chemoproteomics (Huber group), imaging (Rittscher group) and pharmacogenomics (Nijman group). TDI research facilities include technology platform facilities for highthroughput cell-based screening, cell-based assay development programs, discovery proteomics laboratory, medicinal chemistry and chemical biology programmes. There is support space for the scientists including a 90-seat seminar room, advanced IT and AV infrastructure and additional meeting rooms and break out spaces. 5 How to apply Applications are made through our e-recruitment system and you will find all the information you need about how to apply on our Jobs website https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/how-to-apply. If you would like to apply, click on the Apply Now button on the ‘Job Details’ page and follow the onscreen instructions to register as a new user or log-in if you have applied previously. As part of your application you will be asked to provide details of two referees and indicate whether we can contact them now. You will be asked to upload a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependants). Your application will be judged solely on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria stated in the job description. Please upload all documents as PDF files with your name and the document type in the filename. Please note using a long file name may prevent you from uploading your documents.  http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/jobs/research/ All applications must be received by midday UK time on the closing date stated in the online advertisement Information for priority candidates A priority candidate is a University employee who is seeking redeployment because they have been advised that they are at risk of redundancy, or on grounds of ill-health/disability. Priority candidates are issued with a redeployment letter by their employing department(s). If you are a priority candidate, please ensure that you attach your redeployment letter to your application (or email it to the contact address on the advert if the application form used for the vacancy does not allow attachments). If you need help Application FAQs, including technical troubleshooting advice is available at: https://staff.web.ox.ac.uk/recruitment-support-faqs. Non-technical questions about this job should be addressed to the recruiting department directly recruitment@ndm.ox.ac.uk To return to the online application at any stage, please go to: www.recruit.ox.ac.uk. Please note that you will receive an automated email from our online recruitment portal to confirm receipt of your application. Please check your spam/junk mail if you do not receive this email. 6 Important information for candidates Data Privacy Please note that any personal data submitted to the University as part of the job application process will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation. For further information, please see the University’s Privacy Notice for Job Applicants at: https://compliance.admin.ox.ac.uk/job-applicant-privacy-policy. The University’s Policy on Data Protection is available at: https://compliance.admin.ox.ac.uk/data-protection-policy. The University’s policy on retirement The University operates an Employer Justified Retirement Age (EJRA) for very senior research posts at grade RSIV/D35 and clinical equivalents E62 and E82, which with effect from 1 October 2023 will be 30 September before the 70th birthday. The justification for this is explained at: https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/the-ejra. For existing employees on these grades, any employment beyond the retirement age is subject to approval through the procedures: https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/the-ejra. There is no normal or fixed age at which staff in posts at other grades have to retire. Staff at these grades may elect to retire in accordance with the rules of the applicable pension scheme, as may be amended from time to time. Equality of opportunity Entry into employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. 7 Benefits of working at the University Employee benefits University employees enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts, and a variety of professional development opportunities. Our range of other employee benefits and discounts also includes free entry to the Botanic Gardens and University colleges, and discounts at University museums. See https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits University Club and sports facilities Membership of the University Club is free for all University staff. The University Club offers social, sporting, and hospitality facilities. Staff can also use the University Sports Centre on Iffley Road at discounted rates, including a fitness centre, powerlifting room, and swimming pool. See www.club.ox.ac.uk and https://www.sport.ox.ac.uk/. Information for staff new to Oxford If you are relocating to Oxfordshire from overseas or elsewhere in the UK, the University's Welcome Service website includes practical information about settling in the area, including advice on relocation, accommodation, and local schools. See https://welcome.ox.ac.uk/ There is also a visa loan scheme to cover the costs of UK visa applications for staff and their dependents. See https://staffimmigration.admin.ox.ac.uk/visa-loan-scheme Family-friendly benefits With one of the most generous family leave schemes in the Higher Education sector, and a range of flexible working options, Oxford aims to be a family-friendly employer. We also subscribe to the Work+Family Space, a service that provides practical advice and support for employees who have caring responsibilities. The service offers a free telephone advice line, and the ability to book emergency back-up care for children, adult dependents and elderly relatives. See https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/myfamily-care Childcare The University has excellent childcare services, including five University nurseries as well as Universitysupported places at many other private nurseries. For full details, including how to apply and the costs, see https://childcare.admin.ox.ac.uk/ Disabled staff We are committed to supporting members of staff with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further details, including information about how to make contact, in confidence, with the University’s Staff Disability Advisor, see https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/disability-support 8 Staff networks The University has a number of staff networks including the Oxford Research Staff Society, BME staff network, LGBT+ staff network and a disabled staff network. You can find more information at https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/networks The University of Oxford Newcomers' Club The University of Oxford Newcomers' Club is an organisation run by volunteers that aims to assist the partners of new staff settle into Oxford, and provides them with an opportunity to meet people and make connections in the local area. See www.newcomers.ox.ac.uk. 9 """^^ . "application/pdf" . . "text/n3" . . "164588 - Postdoctoral Scientist – JD.pdf" . . . . "text/turtle" . . "HTML description of 164588 - Postdoctoral Scientist – JD.pdf" . . "NTriples description of 164588 - Postdoctoral Scientist – JD.pdf" . . . "Source"@en . _:N94f0f11dcbe34e398e2ecd5204ea1b65 . "Description of 164588 - Postdoctoral Scientist – JD.pdf" . "type" . "Turtle description of 164588 - Postdoctoral Scientist – JD.pdf" . "Format"@en . "text/plain" . "Past vacancies at the University of Oxford" . . . _:N94f0f11dcbe34e398e2ecd5204ea1b65 . . 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