06 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Masaryk University, Czech Republic

A postdoctoral position is open in Radek Marek’s research group for the study of relativistic effects in chemistry and NMR spectroscopy. The research project focuses on the investigation and interpretation of relativistic effects on chemical bonding, electronic structure, and NMR properties (in particular NMR shifts) of closed and open-shell systems (see below for selected research papers). State-of-the-art computational and analytical tools are available in the supervisor’s laboratory and in the national supercomputer centers, and high-field NMR instruments are available at the CEITEC core facility for the project and collaboration with experimentalists.

We are looking for a creative, independent, and driven individual with demonstrable research experience related to this position. Candidates, particularly from EU Member States, with solid research experience in computational quantum chemistry or theoretical spectroscopy are encouraged to apply. The aim of the project is to deepen our general understanding of relativistic effects (in particular spin-orbit coupling) on electronic structure and NMR (EPR) properties. 

Applications are invited for a 3-5 year junior research position in the research group of Prof. Štěpánka Vaňáčová, Ph.D. to join the RNA4T project – RNA for Therapy, reg. number CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004575, ” in Programme Johannes Amos Comenius (Czech Republic – The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, co-funded by the European Union.

We are an international team studying the mechanisms of posttranscriptional RNA processing and modifications (PTM) in cellular homeostasis. You will join our efforts to uncover the role of PTMs in cellular division, transformation and in developing new RNA-based tools. Specific focus will be on T-lymphocyte biology and selected tumors. RNA4T is a collaborative project with the Weizmann Institute, Israel; the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EU; the University of Edinburgh, UK, and other relevant partners.

The researcher will have the opportunity to use a wide range of techniques (CRISPR-based genome editing and/or RNA targeting, high-throughput screens, protein-protein and nucleic acid-protein interaction methods, small compound screens, ribosome profiling, structural analyses, etc., and have access to state-of-the-art core facilities located on the campus (genomic, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, imaging, live-cell imaging, biophysical interactions, CryoEM facility, etc.).

A postdoctoral opportunity is available within the Gabriel Demo Research Group, specializing in the exploration of translation regulation mechanisms. The group’s research is centred on diverse translation regulation pathways in both bacterial and mammalian cells. This project will focus on the structural intricacies of frameshifting and translocation events in bacterial ribosomes, particularly focusing on tRNAs with additional stem-loops. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments such as Titan Krios and Talos Arctica for cryo-electron microscopy data collection, available either in-house or through local core facilities, with regular accessibility.

We are seeking a creative, independent and driven individual with documented research experience related to this position. Candidates with solid research experience in structural biology and translation are encouraged to apply.

Post-doctoral position is open in the Research Group of Petr Tesina to study human translation control. The research project will investigate structures of ribosomal complexes involved in human translation control. As an alternative focus, human-host pathogen interaction-focused projects are also pursued in the lab. State-of-the-art instruments for cryo-EM are available at local core facility and are accessible on a regular basis. The lab has recently acquired generous third-party funding including an ERC Starting Grant.

We are seeking a creative, independent and driven individual with documented research experience related to this position. Candidates with strong research experience in structural biology and translation are especially encouraged to apply.

Cells employ protein liquid droplets to form dynamic clusters, which function as nanoreactors or storages with the increased local concentration of specific protein components. These membrane-less organelles self-assemble based on weak protein-protein interactions of intrinsically disordered domains. However, the role of specific sequences remains elusive and the mixing between different protein droplets unexplored. This project is focused on the droplets involved in genome transcription, where posttranslational modifications control the droplet composition and regulate the transcription. Expected findings are not only important for the general knowledge but could also be useful in the design of new treatments because translocation malfunction is involved in numerous diseases including cancer. The research is strongly coupled to collaborations with excellent experimental teams and will be more closely discussed during the interview. The employed tools will contain multi-scale simulations using a wide range of advanced sampling techniques and development of protein parametrization.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess the ability to disrupt the membrane barrier function, effectively eliminating bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells. Consequently, AMPs have emerged as promising candidates for the development of a new class of therapeutics. However, the majority of known AMPs exhibit toxic properties due to their origin from human-unfriendly sources, such as venoms. Furthermore, our understanding of peptide targeting mechanisms towards specific pathogens and their membranes remains limited, hindering further advancements in this field.

This ERC funded project aims to identify peptide sequence motifs that are responsible for targeting pathogens, while maintaining minimal toxicity towards human cells. In conjunction with the lipid composition of membranes, we will investigate the impact of membrane local curvature. The main tool will be Molecular dynamics simulations with free energy calculations using Gromacs program package. These simulations will be complemented by in-house experiments providing crucial verification and feedback on peptide-membrane affinity. The acquired knowledge will guide the design of de novo peptides with enhanced pathogen-targeting specificity.