Research Associate

Role Description

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position, funded by the Royal Society, for up to 30 months to work with Dr Jon Agirre in the Department of Chemistry. The successful applicant will join a vibrant team of researchers at the heart of the world-leading York Structural Biology Laboratory (YSBL). The work of the laboratory over the years has included the delivery of world-leading methods and experimental discoveries, training and nurturing hundreds of outstanding scientists in the process.

Department

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest and most successful departments at York and we are renowned internationally for our research. As a department, we strive to provide a working environment that allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We are proud of our Athena Swan Gold Award

Role

In collaboration with Dr. Elisa Fadda (Maynooth University, Ireland), we have developed proof-of-concept software that models protein glycosylation into AlphaFold models. This task has been automated and integrated into the new Python interface of the carbohydrate-specific Privateer software. In parallel, we have developed infrastructure and analyses that allow us to get a clear picture of glycans and their interactions. We expect that this technology will enable the successful applicant to, based on existing glycobiological knowledge, extend the Privateer software to predict, build and adapt models of glycans onto AlphaFold models.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• To develop and extend the Privateer software to predict, build and adapt models of glycans onto AlphaFold models.
• To further our existing collaborations with CCP4, CCP-EM, PDB-REDO, the Protein Data Bank and the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• First degree and PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Biology or Computer Science or equivalent experience
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience of a programming language
• Knowledge of a range of research techniques and methodologies to engage in high quality research
• Highly developed communication skills, attention to detail and commitment to high quality
• Evidenced ability to develop research objectives, plan and prioritise work, and conduct individual and collaborative research
• Evidenced ability to write up research work for publication and competency at presenting at conferences
• Ability to identify sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds with collaborators
• Interest in and enthusiasm for the subject matter
• Positive attitude to colleagues and students and a willingness to work proactively
• Commitment to personal development and an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion issues

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Jon Agirre, jon.agirre@york.ac.uk

The Department of Chemistry values all employees for the qualities and skills they bring to the workplace and aims to be a diverse and egalitarian community in which all can thrive.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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