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- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop and purify proteins, and determine structures using X-ray crystallography.
- Company: The Institute of Cancer Research, a leading cancer research institute in London.
- Benefits: Fixed-term contract with access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cancer research and drug discovery while working with top scientists.
- Qualifications: PhD in biological or physical science with experience in X-ray crystallography and protein biochemistry.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a multidisciplinary research setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields. Postdoctoral position protein crystallography and higher scientific officer assay development positions available at The Institute of Cancer Research, London UK.
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, The ICR leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. Together with our hospital partner The Royal Marsden, we are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide.
The Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD), within the Division of Cancer Therapeutics, is a multidisciplinary bench-to-bedside centre, comprising around 160 staff dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The CCDD’s exciting goal is to discover high quality small molecule drug candidates and to progress these to clinical trial. All the scientific disciplines are in place to make this possible, including medicinal chemistry, biology, structural biology, assay scientists, drug metabolism and clinical specialists.
Two positions are available in Dr Rob van Montfort’s Hit Discovery and Structural Design (HDSD) group within the CCDD. The team uses biochemical and biophysical assays to perform small-molecule high-throughput screening and fragment-based hit discovery, coupled with X-ray crystallography to enable structure-based drug design. These methodologies are underpinned by state-of-the art protein expression, purification and biophysical characterisation capabilities, allowing for the generation of large quantities of high-quality protein targets.
Responsibilities- Postdoctoral training fellow in protein crystallography involved in the structure determination of protein-ligand complexes, primarily by X-ray crystallography and potentially by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
- Produce and purify proteins, crystallise proteins, determine structures by X-ray crystallography and perform subsequent structural analysis.
- Be an integral member of a multidisciplinary project team within the CCDD at the ICR Sutton site and work closely with biologists, computational chemists, medicinal chemists, assay scientists and structural biologists.
- Access state-of-the-art facilities for protein production and purification, biophysical characterisation and crystallisation at the Sutton site; participate in the Division of Structural Biology facilities at Chelsea with access to cryo-EM facilities, including Glacios and Titan Krios with Falcon III detectors.
- PhD (or equivalent) in a biological or physical science with demonstrable experience in X-ray crystallography and protein biochemistry.
- Experience in cryo-EM specimen preparation and data processing is advantageous but not mandatory.
- Experience in molecular biology, protein expression and purification, and biophysical characterisation of protein samples is highly desirable.
- Experience in assay development and screening is sought for a higher scientific officer level position.
- The role includes developing and running plate-based biochemical and/or cellular screening assays to support identification and characterisation of small-molecule inhibitors against novel cancer targets using various detection technologies.
- Strong laboratory experience monitoring small molecule binding and function in drug discovery is required; a good understanding of enzymology is beneficial, as is prior use of automation equipment for liquid handling and compound profiling.
The posts are offered on a fixed-term contract for 18 months initially. Informal enquiries to rob.vanmontfort@icr.ac.uk or caroline.ewens@icr.ac.uk. Please do not send your application to Dr van Montfort, Dr Le Bihan, or Dr Caroline Ewens; apply via the e-recruitment system on our website www.icr.ac.uk.
Postdoctoral position protein crystallography and higher scientific officer assay development p[...] employer: Instruct-ERIC
Contact Detail:
Instruct-ERIC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral position protein crystallography and higher scientific officer assay development p[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at The Institute of Cancer Research on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of protein crystallography and assay development. We want to show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the field!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to your experience in drug discovery and structural biology. Mock interviews with friends can help us feel more confident when it’s our turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team at ICR.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral position protein crystallography and higher scientific officer assay development p[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in protein crystallography and assay development. We want to see how your skills align with the exciting work we do at The Institute of Cancer Research.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about cancer research and how you can contribute to our mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific projects or techniques you've worked with that relate to the role. We love seeing concrete examples of your work in X-ray crystallography or assay development.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our e-recruitment system on the ICR website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets into the right hands.
How to prepare for a job interview at Instruct-ERIC
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of protein crystallography and assay development. Be prepared to discuss your previous research experiences in detail, especially any relevant techniques you've used, like X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them practically.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working in a multidisciplinary team, highlight your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with biologists, chemists, or other scientists in past projects. This will demonstrate that you can thrive in a team environment, which is crucial for success at The Institute of Cancer Research.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the research projects, the team dynamics, and the facilities available at the ICR. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
You might be asked to present your previous work or a relevant topic during the interview. Practise explaining complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely. Use visuals if possible, as they can help convey your ideas more effectively and keep the interviewers engaged.
