RNA/Protein interaction biophysicist (MSCA postdoc fellowship application)
Sixfold Bioscience
White City, London, UK
Posted on Friday, May 26, 2023
Summary
• Opportunity: Sixfold Bioscience is looking for researchers interested in applying for the next round of the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023
• Location: London, UK
• Start-date: Application in September 2023, start from June 2024, duration 24 months
• Length: Full-Time/Permanent
Key skills/traits
Must haves/Most important
• PhD in biophysics/biochemistry degree at the time of the deadline for applications
• Minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 8 years experience in research (including PhD)
• Comply with MSCA mobility rules: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline
• Experience in structural, biophysical and cell biology approaches that he/she uses it to obtain a mechanistic and structural understanding of RNA-proteins interactions
• Comfortable working under periods of intense pressure
• Able to work in parallel
Useful, but not required
• Experience with modified oligonucleotides
The Opportunity
Sixfold Bioscience is a VC backed team of 25+ researchers and operators looking to change how we treat disease. We see the huge potential of RNA therapeutics being limited by how safely and effectively they can be systemically delivered in people.
We’re engineering a radically different approach to RNA delivery, one that defies traditional thinking. Our Mergo® approach has the potential to make a significant impact to patients across the globe.
Sixfold Bioscience is looking for researchers interested in applying for the next round of the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships with deadline 13th September 2023: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/calls/msca-postdoctoral-fellowships-2023
You’ll have the ability to…
• Learn the process of analysis and characterisation of modified oligonucleotides.
• Access to biophysical and biochemical instruments and facilities
• We’re constantly improving and building new capabilities in oligonucleotide analysis and characterization. As such, you’ll be constantly learning, testing, and designing better ways to operate in this exciting field.
This is an extremely exciting opportunity to join a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary and dynamic team environment: a passionate group of coders, engineers, chemists, biochemists and biologists looking to make a difference (and have fun doing it!). You’ll be exposed to advanced technical and scientific skills that are in high demand in the rapidly growing field of RNA therapeutics.
The EU MSCA grant will provide a very competitive compensation:
• a living allowance
• a mobility allowance
• research, training and networking activities
• management and indirect costs
You’ll also:
• Be asked to prepare detailed reports and communicate the most crucial findings to a multidisciplinary team.
• Be regularly involved in discussions with the executive team.
• Work both independently and closely with other colleagues, giving you the opportunity to become familiar with areas of preclinical research you might not be typically exposed to
• Work in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Be involved in Sixfolds many projects with leading industrial and academic institutions, such as Imperial College, Pharmidex and the Medicines Discovery Catapult.
• Support and contribute to publishing, patenting and grant writing efforts.
Who you are
You should be someone who has:
• PhD in biochemistry, biophysics, pharmacology or related discipline.
• Practical experience in some of the listed biochemical/biophysical techniques: SPR, FP, single molecule microscopy, Western blot, Immunofluorescence, AlphaLisa, HiBit or similar for monitoring RNA and protein interactions.
• Bridging biophysical and structural approaches with oligonucleotides/RNA and using the data to pinpoint parameters for protein interactions
Would be a plus:
• Proteomics and modelling knowledge
• Has experience in structural, biophysical and cell biology approaches that you use to obtain a mechanistic and structural understanding of RNA-proteins interactions
• Has developed novel approaches for directed protein binding
Our team is what makes Sixfold. We look for people with:
• Good humour, friendly and plenty of energy.
• A passion for science and learning.
• Team oriented.
• The ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload.
Perks
• Share Scheme
• Pension
• Private healthcare
• Flexible hours
• Highly collaborative, inclusive and friendly team environment
• The chance to see your ideas make an impact
• Bi-/Weekly team social events
• Minimum 5 days paid training
• 25 days paid holiday (not including bank holidays)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free fruit :)
• Sickness and bereavement pay
• Attractive maternity and paternity pay
About us
We founded Sixfold to tackle the biggest challenge in healthcare: how to safely deliver RNA to diseased cells. We saw the huge potential of RNA therapies being limited to how safely and effectively they can be systemically delivered in people. Our scientists are creative and iterate fast because they want to see what they do in the lab make a difference in the clinic.
Diversity and inclusion
It’s important to mention that although disease affects us all, our industry still displays a huge lack of diversity — this needs to change. Our team is composed of many different nationalities, cultures and genders. Our goal is to create a company culture that promotes ideas and the inclusion of team members from all backgrounds.
That means we have no judgement when it comes to any one of the things that make you who you are — your gender, race, sexuality, religion or your secret aversion to cucumber water.
The proof in the pudding: our board is 66% female, and at last count team Sixfold came from 9 nationalities, 3 continents, multiple races and ethnicities. As one of our team recently put it: “Sixfold is a great example of diversity [...] and I am sure many more diversities that I am not even aware of! The beauty of the fold-diversity ”
We actively encourage members of disadvantaged, minority and underrepresented groups to apply.