Research Associate, Computational Ion Channel Design, Synthetic and Structural Biology (100)

Basel - Switzerland

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) seeks a highly motivated Research Associate. IOB is a research institute combining basic and clinical research. Its mission is to drive innovations in understanding vision and its diseases and develop new therapies for vision loss. It is a place where your expertise will be valued your abilities challenged and your knowledge expanded.

We are recruiting a Research Associate in computational ion channel and membrane-protein design (protein design structural and synthetic biology). In this role you will drive an end-to-end designbuildtest cycle: computationally design engineered ion channels (e.g. light-responsive membrane proteins) translate designs into expression constructs and validate function in mammalian systemsin collaboration with colleagues performingquantitative assays (with access to high-throughput electrophysiology and advanced imaging). The position combines modern structure-based and generative design approaches with hands-on experimental execution (mammalian cell culture transfection/transduction expression optimization and protein/function characterization).

Your responsibilities

Own the computational and structural design cycle for ion channels and light-sensitive membrane proteins (concept design hypotheses in silico screening selection of candidates for testing) in close interaction with experimental and translational collaborators.
Define clear design objectives and success criteria and translate designs into practical construct and assay plans.
Develop and apply learned-modelassisted protein design workflows (structure prediction inverse folding/sequence design sequence scoring and generative proposal methods) and integrate them with experimental feedback across iterative design cycles.
Execute a targeted experimental validation workflow (limited hands-on bench work): some routine mammalian cell culture DNA cloning/construct handling as needed transfection/transduction and small-scale expression testing in HEK/CHO (or equivalent).
Coordinate and interpret functional readouts generated with the team (e.g. electrophysiology imaging biochemical assays) using results to iterate designs.
Communicate progress and results clearly in internal updates written documentation and project meetings; contribute to conference presentations and manuscripts as appropriate.
Maintain accurate records and effective day-to-day communication with your supervisor and collaborators.

Requirements

PhD (or equivalent experience) in computational biology protein engineering structural biology biophysics biochemistry molecular/cell biology or a closely related field.
3 years of post-graduate (or equivalent) experience with at least two of the following:
- computational/structure-based protein design (especially membrane proteins or ion channels)
- learned-modelassisted protein design workflows (e.g. structure prediction inverse folding/sequence design protein language-modelbased sequence scoring and generative sequence/structure proposal tools)
- generative or library-based design and screening strategies (incl. directed evolution)
- molecular biology for rapid designbuildtest cycles (cloning construct design expression optimization)
- metagenomic mining/discovery pipelines and annotation
- quantitative functional screening (microplate assays and/or electrophysiology/imaging readouts).
Strong motivation to develop and refine methods primarily in silico with a light but competent experimental component.
Highly organized and precise; comfortable managing multiple design iterations with rigorous documentation and version control.
Solid programming and data-analysis skills (e.g. Python) and experience working with structural biology and protein-design software/toolchains (e.g. Rosetta; structure-prediction workflows such as AlphaFold-derived or equivalent; inverse-folding/sequence-design and generative design tools; MD/analysis toolchains).
Practical competence with mammalian cell culture and sterile technique; familiarity with BSL1/BSL2 environments.
Evidence of impact in protein design (e.g. first-author work open-source contributions released methods or demonstrated engineered-function outcomes).

We offer

Scientific Excellence & Impact Join a highly motivated research instituteat the forefront of vision research supported by state-of-the-art facilities in an international cutting-edge research environment in Basel
An Environment Built for Performance We create conditions that enable you to do your best work: A commitment to supporting long-term excellence and family-friendly policies
Practical Support & Accessibility Convenient Basel location with excellent public transportsubsidized meals childcare support and access to university sports facilities (Unisport)
A Culture of MutualTrust We seek colleagues who bring motivation innovation and dedication; in return we provide the resources flexibility and environment where exceptional work thrives

Application / Contact

Interested candidates should submit their applications online via the recruitment platform. Please include a motivation letter and your Curriculum Vitae. For further information please visit our website or contact Dr. Guilherme Testa-Silva ()

Required Experience:

Your responsibilities

Own the computational and structural design cycle for ion channels and light-sensitive membrane proteins (concept design hypotheses in silico screening selection of candidates for testing) in close interaction with experimental and translational collaborators.
Define clear design objectives and success criteria and translate designs into practical construct and assay plans.
Develop and apply learned-modelassisted protein design workflows (structure prediction inverse folding/sequence design sequence scoring and generative proposal methods) and integrate them with experimental feedback across iterative design cycles.
Execute a targeted experimental validation workflow (limited hands-on bench work): some routine mammalian cell culture DNA cloning/construct handling as needed transfection/transduction and small-scale expression testing in HEK/CHO (or equivalent).
Coordinate and interpret functional readouts generated with the team (e.g. electrophysiology imaging biochemical assays) using results to iterate designs.
Communicate progress and results clearly in internal updates written documentation and project meetings; contribute to conference presentations and manuscripts as appropriate.
Maintain accurate records and effective day-to-day communication with your supervisor and collaborators.

Requirements

PhD (or equivalent experience) in computational biology protein engineering structural biology biophysics biochemistry molecular/cell biology or a closely related field.
3 years of post-graduate (or equivalent) experience with at least two of the following:
- computational/structure-based protein design (especially membrane proteins or ion channels)
- learned-modelassisted protein design workflows (e.g. structure prediction inverse folding/sequence design protein language-modelbased sequence scoring and generative sequence/structure proposal tools)
- generative or library-based design and screening strategies (incl. directed evolution)
- molecular biology for rapid designbuildtest cycles (cloning construct design expression optimization)
- metagenomic mining/discovery pipelines and annotation
- quantitative functional screening (microplate assays and/or electrophysiology/imaging readouts).
Strong motivation to develop and refine methods primarily in silico with a light but competent experimental component.
Highly organized and precise; comfortable managing multiple design iterations with rigorous documentation and version control.
Solid programming and data-analysis skills (e.g. Python) and experience working with structural biology and protein-design software/toolchains (e.g. Rosetta; structure-prediction workflows such as AlphaFold-derived or equivalent; inverse-folding/sequence-design and generative design tools; MD/analysis toolchains).
Practical competence with mammalian cell culture and sterile technique; familiarity with BSL1/BSL2 environments.
Evidence of impact in protein design (e.g. first-author work open-source contributions released methods or demonstrated engineered-function outcomes).

We offer

Scientific Excellence & Impact Join a highly motivated research instituteat the forefront of vision research supported by state-of-the-art facilities in an international cutting-edge research environment in Basel
An Environment Built for Performance We create conditions that enable you to do your best work: A commitment to supporting long-term excellence and family-friendly policies
Practical Support & Accessibility Convenient Basel location with excellent public transportsubsidized meals childcare support and access to university sports facilities (Unisport)
A Culture of MutualTrust We seek colleagues who bring motivation innovation and dedication; in return we provide the resources flexibility and environment where exceptional work thrives

Application / Contact

Required Experience: