Post-Doctoral Scientist Expert in Molecular Simulation Methods : Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium

Joint Biopharma-Academia Simulations Postdoctoral Research Opportunity

The Project

UCB (http://www.ucb.com/) is now looking to recruit a gifted scientist with expertise in state-of-the-art molecular simulation methods for an exciting 3 year postdoctoral research position held between UCB and the world leading academic simulations group of Prof Gianni De Fabritiis at University Pompeu Fabra/Acellera Labs in Barcelona.

Job scope

This project offers an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral scientist to work within a leading biopharmaceutical company on one of the most interesting challenges presently faced by academic and industrial scientists, namely: how to rigorously explore and map the highly dynamic behavior of important protein targets such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) or protein-protein interactions (PPIs)? 
By working with UCB scientists in Belgium and the UK, the postdoctoral researcher will have access to high quality experimental data, which will be crucial for the development and validation of novel computational protocols. This project is expected to lead to discoveries that will be publishable in the highest impact scientific journals. Furthermore, he or she will have the opportunity to apply the new methods on prospective drug targets to explore therapeutic intervention opportunities for improving the welfare of patients suffering from chronic diseases. The postdoctoral researcher will learn about the pharmaceutical industry and gain an understanding of the plethora of methods that drive drug discovery research and how this can combine with their own specialism.

Job accountabilities

Using a dedicated purpose-built GPU high-performance computer cluster, capable of generating at least 15 milliseconds of simulation data during the course of the project, the candidate will develop and apply novel protocols for enhancing the conformational sampling of biological systems to aid the study of physiologically relevant phenomena which in turn may provide unprecedented insights for understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug targets.

The candidate

The successful candidate will be based in the Computer-Aided Drug Discovery (CADD) group at the UCBBioPharma research site in Belgium. They will also have the opportunity to spend a significant portion of time at the partner academic lab based in Barcelona (http://multiscalelab.org/).

Qualifications, skills and experience

We would very much like to hear from people with a PhD in computational chemistry or a related field, with an impressive publications track record.

Minimum requirements
Extensive knowledge of molecular simulations techniques and technical skills to utilize simulations packages (e.g. AMBER, GROMACS, ACEMD, NAMD).
Experience utilizing molecular dynamics and or related techniques to understand questions of biological and therapeutic relevance. 
Sound knowledge of the LINUX environment and in one or more scripting and/or programming languages such as Matlab, Python, Perl etc.
Significant contributions to inventions and/or publications & experience of collaborative research.

Desired
Experience setting up and running membrane protein simulations and analyzing large simulation data.
Knowledge of state-of-the-art computational chemistry and molecular modelling approaches and their application to drug discovery. 
Interested individuals should apply online via the UCB website and include the following items: 
1. A cover letter outlining research interests and experience as well as career goals 
2. Curriculum Vitae 
3. Three referee names (or reference letters if possible)
4. Expected availability….