Postdoc position: Analytical Chemistry or Biochemistry

We are looking to recruit an outstanding early career researcher who wishes to develop their own independent research program in the lab. While our lab is multidisciplinary with respect to experimental systems, the candidate will be expected to develop a project focused on the study of protein complexes essential for transcriptional regulation and RNA biology. Monash University and the EMBL-Australia program provide excellent infrastructure and resources. Outstanding applicants will be offered a supreme research environment and a competitive postdoctoral fellowship. The position will best suit self-driven individuals who, in the long run, wish to pursue a career as independent researchers.

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The project: We are seeking a postdoctoral research fellow to develop methods for the analysis and production of modified RNA and modified nucleotides. While working on the project, the successful candidate will be encouraged to learn and implement methods in synthetic biology, genome modification and protein engineering together with enzymatic approaches for the production of modified RNA and to develop multi-step liquid chromatographic workflows for their purification. The intended outcome of the project would be twofold: (1) New approaches for the production of modified nucleotides as new building blocks for RNA therapeutics and biotechnology applications. (2) New methods for the detection and quantification of modified nucleotides in RNA and in biological samples.

 

Environment and resources: The successful candidate will be given access to supreme mass spectrometry platforms and will be encouraged to utilise and develop technology in mass spectrometry, including MS/MS of RNA, metabolomics of nucleotides and crosslinking mass spectrometry of protein-RNA complexes. The successful candidate will have access to tools of synthetic biology in the host lab, including workflows that were already established for the genetic modification of yeast strains and the expression and purification of recombinant enzymes and enzymatic complexes. Full access will be given to research platforms in Monash university, including LC-MS/MS, metabolomics mass spectrometry, GC-MS, NMR, imaging, bioinformatics and high-performance computing (HPC) server for data analysis. 

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The candidate: The successful candidate would be qualified with at least some of the following: 

• Sound knowledge and track record of using applications of analytical chemistry for the study of small organic compounds, or small biological molecules or polymers.

• Sound knowledge and track record in the development of multi-step HPLC approaches for analytical and semi-preparative applications.

• Sound knowledge and demonstrated experience in mass spectrometry approach for the analysis of biological compounds. 

• An ability to develop their own research program within their lab and track record demonstrating that they have already developed a research project elsewhere, from an idea to maturation.

• The incumbent should be willing to learn and apply approaches for the expression and purification of recombinant proteins, although prior experience is not required.

• The incumbent should be willing to work in a collegiate manner within an interdisciplinary team.

 
Highly advantageous expertise (but not required):

• Experience in developing analytical methods while utilizing MS/MS or metabolomics is highly advantageous.

• Demonstrated experience working with nucleic acids or nucleotides is not required but is highly advantageous.

• Demonstrated experience in isolating and analysing biological molecules and compounds from cells is highly advantageous.

• Demonstrated experience using NMR for applications of analytical chemistry is not required but is advantageous.

• Some limited prior experience with multi-step FPLC purification of recombinant proteins or nucleic acids is not required but is advantageous.

• Demonstrated experience in synthetic biology approaches, especially using yeast, is advantageous.

 

How to apply: A job application is now open online. For inquiries, please email Chen (Chen.Davidovich@monash.edu).