Two NMR Postdoctoral Positions:
(available after January, 1999)
(1) Solution Structure and Conformational Stability of Protein-Ligand Complexes
(2) Conformational Dynamics of Bioactive Peptides
The Biomolecular NMR laboratory of the Biotechnology Research Institute
(BRI) has two postdoctoral openings in Biomolecular NMR. The first position
will have the work centered on NOE assignment/structure calculations, NMR
relaxation measurements, and meaurements of ligand exchange rates. The
second position will focus on peptide conformational analysis, measurement
of proton relaxation rates, and NMR-based conformational searches. Ideal
candidates should have a recent Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry or a related
discipline, and have prior experience in at least one or two areas of the
planned research projects.
The mandate of the Biomolecular NMR Group at BRI is to carry out research
into the structure, molecular interactions and design of mimetics within
protein systems that are strategic targets for pharmaceutical development.
The core of our work is the use of multi-dimensional NMR to determine the
bioactive conformations of peptides and protein fragments and to establish
their modes of binding with protein targets. Research projects are focused
on the following areas:
(1) dissection of regulatory protease-inhibitor/cofactor functional
interfaces;
(2) minimization and mimetics design of the EGF- and granulin-like
protein repeats;
(3) interactions of kinase and phosphatase domains with their protein
targets;
(4) solution conformations of human parathyroid hormone (PTH) and
antibody (VH) fragments;
(5) methods for the structural characterization of protein-ligand complexes.
The primary goal of our research is to elucidate the molecular determinants
of the selective interactions of bioactive peptides and proteins and to
assist the design of functional mimetics of protein-protein interactions.
Our NMR work is supported by a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer and by shared use
with external clients of a second 500 MHz NMR spectrometer and of an 800 MHz
very-high-field NMR facility (established in 1997).
The salary for postdoctoral fellows is at the standard MRC rate of
CND$ 24,000-27,000/year commensurate with experience. Successful
candidates are encouraged to apply for the NSERC visiting fellowships in
NRC laboratories which offer a competitive salary of $36,000/year plus
some relocation expenses. Interested candidates should send their CVs
and arrange for two letters of references sent to:
Dr. Feng Ni
Group Leader, Biomolecular NMR
Biotechnology Research Institute
6100 Royalmount Avenue
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H4P 2R2
or contact Dr. Feng Ni at:
Phone: (514)-496-6729; Fax: (514)-496-5143
e_mail: Feng.Ni at nrc.ca
