PhD - Química orgánica y Biología Química

Vacancy number AFSG-ORC-0017
Location Gelderland
Department Wageningen University 
Closing date for applications  17 July 2012
 
We are looking for:

A highly motivated PhD student to investigate the chemical synthesis and glycobiology of microbial carbohydrates. Manysymbiotic and pathogenic microbes associated with humans display a wide array of structurally unique sialic acids. The roles microbial sialic acids (MSAs) play in the functioning of these human-associated microbes are currently not well understood. In this study you will develop a synthesis for MSAs and use the developed route to equip MSAs with additional bio-orthogonal functionalities to turn them into activity-based probes, inhibitors and in vivo labeling agents. You will then use the developed molecular toolbox to investigate the role(s) of MSAs in several relevant human-associated microbes and probe the proteins that interact with MSAs during their lifecycle, i.e. glycosyltransferases, lectins and glycosidases. In this highly interdisciplinary research project, involving organic synthesis and chemical biology, you will also collaborate with researchers of the Laboratory of Microbiology at Wageningen University on the microbiology part of the project.

Requirements:

You should have an MSc degree in Chemistry/ Molecular Sciences, or comparable curriculum. A strong background and solid hands-on experience in synthetic organic chemistry is a prerequisite. A strong interest (or preferentially experience) in chemical biology oriented research is also essential. Your affinity for the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of the project and good written and oral communication skills in English are additional requirements.


We offer:

We offer you a temporary position for a period of 1.5 years with extension of 2.5 years after successful evaluation. Gross salary per month € 2042 in the first year rising up to € 2612 per month in the fourth year.
We not only offer a competitive salary but also good (study) leave and a pension of the ABP Pension Fund.
Additional information
For more information about this position, please contact dr. Tom Wennekes, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, telephone number +31 317481268, e-mail tom.wennekes@wur.nl.
For more information about the contractual aspects, please contact Mrs. N. de Vries (HR-advisor), e-mail nicole.devries@wur.nl.
Interested?
You can apply online at www.werkenbij.wur.nl/UK until July 18th 2012.