3 PhD Student Positions in Chemical Protein Synthesis

Your responsibilities

This interdisciplinary project combines a variety of disciplines and tools in the broader field of chemical protein synthesis and chemical biology. You will design, synthesize and modify MYC derivatives using our state-of-the-art fully automated synthesis platform and ligation technologies. You will be driving the characterization of chemically synthesized proteins using various analytical techniques (UHPLC, LCMS, NMR, CD, etc.). To elucidate their biological role and function, you will work with biochemical, biophysical, and cellular assays to analyze and quantify the binding interactions between the oncoprotein MYC (and derivatives thereof) and its binding partner(s).

Your profile

We are looking for three highly motivated, curious and enthusiastic PhD students for a four-year research collaboration between the Hartrampf group (University of Zurich), the Zerbe group (University of Zurich) and the Penn group (University of Toronto). The candidates should hold a Master’s degree in chemistry or biochemistry. Expertise in biophysical assays, chemical biology, peptide chemistry (SPPS), or molecular biology is a plus, but not required. You are adept at working in an open, interdisciplinary, and collaborative environment that you will contribute to with curiosity, scientific agility, self-motivation and strong communication skills.

What we offer

We offer three exciting PhD positions in a stimulating and challenging environment at the interface of chemistry and biology. You will be trained in state-of-the-art SPPS technology, ligation techniques, protein purification and analysis, chemical biology and organic chemistry. Together with our collaborators, you will explore the role of MYC phosphorylation in cancer progression through biophysical and cellular assays. With this joint research project you will be part of an interdisciplinary and international research collaboration.

Place of work

University of Zurich Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich, Switzerland

Start of employment

The employment should ideally start in February 2024. Your application should contain:

• letter of motivation
• curriculum vitae
• short summary of past research accomplishments
• transcripts of your academic records from your University, and a copy of your degree
• contact details of two referees (e.g. your M.Sc. thesis supervisor)

Please submit your application as soon as possible as a single pdf (incomplete applications will not be considered).