A three-year postdoctoral position in the field of mechanistic enzymology is immediately available in the Steiner Laboratory of King’s College London. The salary is £33,193 per annum inclusive of London allowance. 

The project aims at studying the intriguing biological process of cofactor-independent oxygenation catalysis (1). To understand how dioxygen chemistry takes place in a cofactor-less manner we will use enzymes for which we have recently obtained structural information in various catalytically relevant states (2). 

The ideal candidate has a strong biochemistry/chemistry background, extensive experience in structural biology focused on enzyme mechanisms and an interest in molecular dynamics (MD). The MD work will be carried out in collaboration with Prof. Ceccarelli of the University of Cagliari, Italy, where the postdoc will be able to spend some time to improve his/her skills in MD techniques. The postdoc will also be in close contact with the Manchester group of Prof. Scrutton where complementary spectroscopic and kinetic studies will be carried out.

This project will equip the post-holder with a rare and sought-after skill-set as well as a comprehensive overview of an inter-disciplinary study.

To apply for this position go to http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/pertra/vacancy/external/pers_detail.php?jobindex=10871. Please make sure you quote the reference number G6/JKA/772/11-JT.

Informal enquiries are welcome at [email protected]. The closing date for this application is 24 Nov. 2011.

(1) Fetzner S. and Steiner RA (2010). Cofactor-independent oxidases and oxygenases. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 86, 791-804.

(2) Steiner RA, Janssen HJ, Roversi P, Oakley OJ, Fetzner S (2010). Structural basis for cofactor independent dioxygenation of N-heteroaromatic compounds at the α/β-hydrolase fold. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 107, 657-662.