Description of position DC01

Title of the project

Streamline Binding Studies

Description of the project

Determining binding affinities of the new generation of carbohydrate binding molecules (CBMs) is an important aspect of their development.  Creating potent and selective CBMs is the goal that should be easily and accurately be determined. Various techniques are to be used, such as NMR, ITC and spectroscopic techniques, that we aim to automate and make higher throughput, such as UV, fluorescence and CD, and also our developed electrochemical method using a sensor.  However selectivity can be more efficiently addressed by a microarray, displaying many carbohydrate target structures, that may or may not bind to certain fluorescently labelled CBMs. The screen will be followed up with molecular modeling, with  quantification with above mentioned techniques, and determination of the structure of the formed complexes by NMR.

Research Field

Main area: Organic and supramolecular chemistry
Specific area: Analytical chemistry

Work location

Utrecht University (ww.uu.nl), Department of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery (https://www.uu.nl/en/research/chemical-biology-and-drug-discovery), Adress:  Universiteitsweg 99,

3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands

Supervisor

prof. Roland Pieters (r.j.pieters@uu.nl)

Required educational level

Master in organic chemistry, chemical biology, drug discovery, analytical chemistry,  supramolecular chemistry or related

Skills or qualitfication required

Organic synthesis, carbohydrate synthesis, spectroscopy, binding studies

Additional Benefit

We offer:

  • a position for four years;
  • a gross monthly salary ranging from €2,770 in the first year and increasing to  €3,539 in the fourth year in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
  • 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
  • a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment external link laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development external link, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities external link, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university)

Tentative starting date of the contract

01/09/2024

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria available here.