EMBL Grenoble is looking for a postdoctoral scientist to play a key role in the exploitation of the upgraded MASSIF-1 beam line at the ESRF with a focus on the development of innovative approaches to automated crystallography and ligand screening. EMBL and ESRF have pioneered fully automated diffraction data collection on MASSIF-1 and the EBS associated upgrade of the beamline will provide a more brilliant beam and new experimental capabilities. The Marquez Team has developed automated pipelines for crystallographic fragment screening based on the CrystalDirect technology and the CRIMS software that they apply to study targets of biotechnological and biomedical relevance. This Team also operates the High Throughput Crystallization Facility (HTX Lab) providing access to fully automated, remote controlled crystallography pipelines. The successful candidate will be jointly associated with the Marquez and McCarthy teams and will work with the EMBL instrumentation and the ESRF Structural Biology Group on projects related to MASSIF-1, including the integration of the CrystalDirect technology directly on the beamline.
Your role
EMBL are looking for a highly motivated scientist with extensive experience in protein crystallography and a strong interest in methods development. You will cooperate with the MASSIF-1 beamline Scientist and the HTX lab Team towards the development and operation of the upgraded MASSIF-1 beamline with a focus on expanding its capabilities to support automated fragment screening and crystallography pipelines, exploiting the unique experimental opportunities provided by the integration of the CrystalDirect technology in a beamline environment.
Specifically, you will:
• Develop new plate to beam techniques such as automated online soaking protocols and humidity control experiments.
• Develop new approaches for fragment screening that take advantage of the unique MASSIF-1 and EBS upgrade capabilities
• Develop and test new data collection workflows on the ESRF beamline MASSIF-1 [kappa/helical/room temperature etc]
• Beamline and HTX lab user support
Moreover, you will participate in research projects involving fragment screening and development of chemical tools on targets of biomedical relevance. Experience in the operation of synchrotron beamlines will be highly appreciated as well as experience in the analysis of small molecule protein interactions. You should be able to work both independently and collaboratively with other group members and external collaborators.
You have
A PhD in Structural Biology, Physics, Biochemistry or related disciplines. At least 3 years of experience in protein crystallography including experience in diffraction data collection at synchrotron sources. A willingness and motivation to engage in method development and beamline operation. Excellent communication skills and relational abilities.
You might also have
Experience in the operation of synchrotron beam lines, ligand screening or the analysis of small molecule-protein interactions through protein crystallography would be beneficial as well as some software development skills.
Why join us
This post offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the substantial upgrade and further development of highly automated data collection capabilities of ID30A-1/MASSIF-1 post ESRF-EBS upgrade and drive projects in translational biomedical research.
What else you need to know
Further information about this position can be obtained from Andrew McCarthy (andrewmc@embl.fr) or Josan Marquez (marquez@embl.fr).
Applications close on 12 October 2020.
More information, including how to apply, can be found here.
