Post-Doctoral Associate

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Post-doctoral Associate Department SEBS-Plant Biology Salary Commensurate With Experience Posting Summary

A joint postdoctoral position is available in the laboratories of Dr. Nilgun E.

Tumer in the Department of Plant Biology and Dr. Jacques Roberge in the Office of Research at Rutgers University to identify small molecule inhibitors against ricin and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2).

Shiga toxins are the main virulence factors of Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) that causes food poisoning and ricin is a worldwide problem as a biothreat agent. There is no effective therapy and there is an urgent need to counter disease caused by these toxins.

We have used fragment-based drug discovery (FBLD) with surface plasmon resonance using Biacore 8K+ to identify lead compounds that bind to ricin and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) and inhibit their activity. The successful candidate will work on optimizing the compounds identified from our recent work using fragment-based methods and structure-based design 1-4. Fragment optimization by medicinal chemistry, as well as docking and binding site analysis by SiteMap, WaterMap and FEP+ will be used to optimize the leads.

The affinities will be determined using a fluorescence polarization assay, potency will be analyzed in cell-free and cell-based assays. A virtual screen will be carried out to identify new chemical scaffolds and new binding elements to combine with our current leads.

The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry or a related field and experience in synthetic chemistry, computational docking and screening for drug discovery.

Interested applicants must apply online through ROCS system of Rutgers University

https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/223721 and upload CV, research interests, PhD certification, and contact information for at least 4 references.

Information on Dr. Tumer's research can be found at:

https://plantbiology.rutgers.edu/faculty/tumer/Nilgun_Tumer.html

And for Dr. Jacques Roberge can be found at:

https://research.rutgers.edu/people/jacques-y-roberge

1.Rudolph, M. J.; Dutta, A.; Tsymbal, A.

M.; McLaughlin, J. E.; Chen, Y.; Davis, S.

A.; Theodorous, S.

A.; Pierce, M.; Algava, B.; Zhang, X.; Szekely, Z.; Roberge, J.

Y.; Li, X. P.; Tumer, N.

E., Structure-based design and optimization of a new class of small molecule inhibitors targeting the P-stalk binding pocket of ricin. Bioorg Med Chem 2024, 100, 117614.

2.Rudolph, M. J.; Davis, S.

A.; Tumer, N.

E.; Li, X. P., Structural basis for the interaction of Shiga toxin 2a with a C-terminal peptide of ribosomal P stalk proteins. J Biol Chem 2020, 295 (46), 15588-15596.

3.Li, X. P.; Harijan, R.

K.; Kahn, J. N.; Schramm, V. L.; Tumer, N.

E., Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the Interaction of Ricin Toxin A Subunit with Ribosomes. ACS Infect Dis 2020, 6 (7), 1894-1905.

4.Li, X. P.; Harijan, R.

K.; Cao, B.; Kahn, J. N.; Pierce, M.; Tsymbal, A.

M.; Roberge, J.

Y.; Augeri, D.; Tumer, N.

E., Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Ricin Inhibitors Targeting Ribosome Binding Using Fragment-Based Methods and Structure-Based Design. J Med Chem 2021, 64 (20), 15334-15348.

Position Status Full Time Posting Number 24FA0289 Posting Open Date 03/15/2024 Posting Close Date

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry or a related field, and experience in synthetic chemistry, computational docking and screening for drug discovery.

Certifications/Licenses

Ph.D.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Equipment Utilized Physical Demands and Work Environment Overview Statement

Information on Dr. Tumer's research can be found at: https://plantbiology.rutgers.edu/faculty/tumer/Nilgun_Tumer.html

And for Dr. Jacques Roberge can be found at:

https://research.rutgers.edu/people/jacques-y-roberge

Posting Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested applicants must apply online through ROCS system of Rutgers University

https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/223721 and upload CV, research interests, PhD certification, and contact information for at least 4 references.

Quick Link to Posting https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/223721 Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Cook (RU-New Brunswick) City New Brunswick State NJ Location Details

Plant Biology Department, 59 Dudley Road - Foran Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply.

Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitae

• List of Professional References (contact Info)

• Research Statement

• Certifications/Licenses

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application