Project on Regulation of Ca2+ Transport

This postdoctoral project aims to establish the structural and thermodynamic properties of Ca2+-sensitive domains or proteins that regulate Ca2+ transport across the membrane. Ca2+ ions are crucial in many cellular processes, including neuronal response, muscle contraction, enzyme activity, gene transcription, cell death, proliferation and differentiation. We study specific structural domains/proteins and their interactions that regulate the transport of Ca2+ across the membrane. Specific systems currently involve the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, a highly ubiquitous ion transporter that constitutes the dominant Ca2+ efflux mechanism in heart and sensory neurons and the TRPV5/6, a Ca2+ channel functionally connected to the exchanger. This project will be approached by conducting advanced high-resolution NMR spectroscopy experiments, yielding information on structure and dynamics on different timescales, in conjunction with other biophysical techniques, such as Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), yielding information of energetic aspects of the interactions. Together, they serve as a basis for the design and implementation of structurally inspired modifications of function and testing of these concepts with cell-biological assays. This two-year postdoctoral project will be conducted by the Protein Biophysics group of the Institute for Molecules and Materials and will be performed in collaboration with Dr. M. Hilge, Prof. R. Bindels (NCMLS, Nijmegen) and Dr. J. Hoenderop (NCMLS, Nijmegen).

Requirements
Doctorate
The applicant should have a PhD degree in Chemistry, Physics or Molecular Life Sciences and should have a proven interest in the biophysical basis of protein interactions. Good experimental skills are required as well as previous experience in at least one of the following areas: high-resolution NMR spectroscopy, ITC and/or protein expression and purification. Willingness and the ability to quickly master the required expertise will be important. Good social and communication skills are essential, as is a good command of spoken and written English. We also expect a willingness to work on irregular hours, if experiments so demand.

Organization
Radboud University Nijmegen Faculty of Science
Strategically located in Europe, Radboud University Nijmegen is one of the leading academic communities in the Netherlands. A place with a personal touch, where top-flight education and research take place on a beautiful green campus in modern buildings with state-of-art facilities.

The IMM is an interdisciplinary Research School within the Faculty of Science of Radboud University Nijmegen. The aim of the IMM is to conduct research and train undergraduate and graduate students in the field of functional molecular structures and materials. The central research theme of the Protein Biophysics group concerns the study of the structural and dynamic aspects that govern specificity and affinity of protein interactions. This requires extensive knowledge in the field of protein expression and purification, biophysical techniques for studying interactions, such as ITC, and high-resolution NMR spectroscopy for obtaining structural and dynamical information. The group uses the 500, 600 and 800 state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers housed in the Goudsmit pavilion. There is a strong interchange between the Protein Biophysics group and NCMLS groups with a more molecular and cell-biological focus or bio-informatics approach (CMBI).

Conditions of employment
Salaryscale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro’s a month 3.755
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 2 years.
Maximum hours per week: 40

Additional conditions of employment:
The candidate will be appointed as a post-doctoral researcher for an initial period of two years.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dr. Geerten W. Vuister
Telephone number: +31 24 3618940
E-mail address: g.vuister@science.ru.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

* About the organization
* About the department
* About the function
* Radboud University Nijmegen

Application
You can apply for this job before 31-12-2008 by sending your application to:

Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen, Wiskunde en Informatica
RU Nijmegen, FNWI, P&O, mrs. A. Schroder
Postbus 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, NL

E-mail address: pz@science.ru.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number 62.29.08.

The short URL code for this job opening is: 00345-494.
You can use this as a direct link to the job by adding the code to the URL www.academictransfer.org

Postdoctoral researcher for a project on regulation of Ca2+ transport at Nijmegen, (Gelderland), 40 hours per week. This information provided by College Scholarships

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