PhD position in Fruit bioactivity and bioefficacy

Highlights:

1. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown an association between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and a reduced risk of human diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Accordingly, there has been a focus on identifying components of fruit and vegetables responsible for the beneficial effects against a host of degenerative diseases.
2.  Soft fruit species have been a specific focus due to their diverse polyphenol contents and composition. However, this work has generally been piecemeal and the transfer between in vitro to in vivo health studies often utilizing variable germplasm negating cross-comparability between the scales of efficacy. As part of the EU project, ClimaFruit, which aims to look at the impact of climate change scenarios on soft fruit production and quality, including putative health beneficial components, the student will employ intervention through to cellular model studies to establish soft fruit polyphenol human health efficacy and establish their metabolic fate and mechanisms of action. In conjunction with the two project post doctoral researchers the student will phytochemically characterize the project target fruit (raspberry, blackcurrant and blackberry) and determine the impact of (in vitro) digestion on phytochemical diversity and bioavailability.

Postdoctoral position in USA

Highlights:

1.      One experimental and one theoretical/computational postdoc for my recently funded Early Career Research Program award from the Department of Energy, Basic Energy Sciences.

2.       The positions are as members of a joint experimental/theoretical team focusing on the design of hydrogen production and hydrogen oxidation catalysts, similar to the enzyme hydrogenase.  Building on well understood nickel-phosphine catalysts with a single proton relay, the focus of the project is to develop, design, incorporate and characterize peptide-based proton channels (multiple proton relays) into homogeneous catalysts to enhance catalytic activity beyond that which can currently be achieved.

3.        Fully understanding the mechanism of the proton channel in enhancing rates will be an important goal.

4.      The experimental candidate will use air-sensitive techniques to synthesize the catalysts and peptide chemistry to build and incorporate the proton channels.  A variety of techniques, including electrochemistry, NMR, FTIR, XAFS, CD and GC will be used to characterize the structures of the catalysts and the proton channels, as well as catalyst activity.

5.      Modeling will be used to guide experimental design using Rosetta, as well as to develop and evaluate mechanistic insight into proton movement using multi-state empirical valence bond model (MS-EVB) or ab initio dynamics.

6.      The work will be carried out in collaboration with Dr. David Baker (University of Washington) (http://depts.washington.edu/bakerpg) and in synergy with the experimental (led by Dr. Dan DuBois) and theoretical (led by Dr. Michel Dupuis) work of the homogeneous catalysis group at PNNL as well as the Center for Molecular Electro catalysis at PNNL (led by Dr. Morris Bullock, http://efrc.pnl.gov/).

7.      To post your curriculum vitae for consideration, please go to www.jobs.pnl.gov and locate the appropriate Job ID: Postdoctoral Opening (experimental) Job ID:  118370

8.      Postdoctoral Opening (theory/computational) Job ID: 118371

Postdoctoral position in Food and Health

Highlights:

1.      A postdoctoral researcher is required to play a key role in the interface between researchers in Food and Health, based in Food Science and BioSciences facilities and the NMR spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry laboratories within the Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility.

2.      Recent PRTLI (Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions) investment in the NMR and LC-MS infrastructure at this interface has been extensive; the role of this researcher is to liaise with each of the groups involved, ensuring that the maximum potential is achieved. This role will enable development of broad skills across a range of disciplines.

3.      PhD in Chemistry or a related discipline relevant to spectroscopic analysis of compounds

4.      Experience in HPLC

5.      Commitment to skills development

6.      Ability to interact with researchers from a range of disciplines

7.      Working in collaboration with spectroscopic services at the Chemistry - Biology interface in University College Cork

8.      Liaising closely with multiple PIs and researchers in the Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility and Food and Health to maximise the potential of the research infrastructure across a range of health/food /pharma projects.

9.      Tasks will include

o       Maintenance and operation of spectrometers including LC-MS and other techniques,

o       Development of methods for sample preparation for analysis,

o       Coordination of samples and technical reports to a wide range of users,

o       H&S, training of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in sample preparation and use of technical services, etc

10        Application send to  Dr. Susan Rafferty-McArdle (s.rafferty@ucc.ie)

11        A letter of introduction detailing why you would be suitable for the position

12        Your C.V., highlighting relevant experience and qualification

13        Contact details and e-mail addresses for three people willing to provide a letter of reference

14        Only those candidates considered suitable for the post will be informed by return email.

15        Candidates considered suitable for the post will be required to attend for interview.

16        Closing Date for Applications: 1pm on Monday the 22nd of February 2010 

Ph.D. position in chemistry

Highlights:

1.      Our research group is a part of the Biointerfaces Programme at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Heidelberg University in Germany.

2.      We have several open Ph.D. positions. We are looking for highly motivated students majored in chemistry or polymer chemistry.

3.      In our research group, we have several projects focused on the development of biologically active functional polymer surfaces and materials, "smart" switchable polymer surfaces, and gradient surfaces that we use for fundamental investigations of biological interfaces, for studying cell- and bacteria-surface interactions and for studying biofouling.

4.      The motivation behind our research is: to learn how cells and bacteria interact with surfaces; to develop biocompatible, biomimetic and "smart" materials that can improve performance of existing biomedical or cell culture devices; and to use this knowledge and materials to achieve control over behavior of cells and bacteria on surfaces.

5.      Our research is very interdisciplinary and we closely collaborate with biologists and physicists from the Biointerfaces Programme launched at the KIT in 2010.

6.      Applications should be sent per email to Dr. Pavel Levkin (levkin@kit.edu)