PhD Scholarship in Organic chemistry and Molecular Modeling
A 3-year PhD scholarship is available in organic chemistry and molecular modeling under the supervision of Associate Professors Peter Fristrup and Christian A. Olsen at the Department of Chemistry, DTU.
The position is co-sponsored by the Lundbeck Foundation and the Department of Chemistry, and is available from January 1, 2014.
Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD project will have a strong foundation in molecular modeling, but will also require a significant portion of practical laboratory work to validate computational results through synthesis of substrates and in vitro enzymology. Focus will be on a family of regulatory enzymes known as the class-III histone deacetylases (HDACs) also known as the sirtuins (SIRT1–7). Groundbreaking results published within the last year and a half have caused a paradigm shift in the profound understanding of these enzymes, and the present project will thus investigate these new developments through computation, chemical synthesis, and enzyme kinetic.
The computational study will comprise homology modeling, long molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and comprehensive docking using known sirtuin inhibitors and substrates. With validated solution structures at hand, quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) will be applied to investigate the reaction pathways for a series of acylated lysine substrates, which may have physiological relevance. Based on the collective QSAR information obtained from the modeling studies, we will then design, synthesize, and screen a focused collection of peptide substrates.
The successful candidates should have a master’s degree in chemistry, physics, or biology and preferably also previous experience with molecular modeling. The education should ideally include theoretical chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval,
and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree
programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for
enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please
see the DTU PhD Guide.
Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by: Peter Fristrup and Christian A. Olsen.
We offer
We
offer an interesting and challenging job in an international
environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy
and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving
social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect
and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of
Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and
benchmarks with the best universities in the world.
Salary and appointment terms
The
salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for
PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.
Further information
Further
questions about the projects should be directed to Peter Fristrup, +45
4525 2123, email pf@kemi.dtu.dk or Christian A. Olsen, email
cao@kemi.dtu.dk +45 4525 2105.
Please do not send applications to this e-mail, instead apply online as described below.
Read more about the research being conducted at the Fristrup and Olsen lab on their respective homepages:
•http://www.kemi.dtu.dk/PeterFristrup
•http://www.kemi.dtu.dk/ChristianAdamOlsen
Application
Please submit your online application no later than 30 November 2013.
Applications must be submitted as one pdf file
containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please
open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and
attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
- Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here: http://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/phd/Applicant/Pre_acceptance%281%29)
Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
