Computational drug design PhD student, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Computational drug design PhD student at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a 3-year PhD student to conduct computational drug design also referred to as computational chemistry or molecular modelling. Upon agreement with the employer, the PhD may be prolonged with two years of postdoc. The starting date is flexible May 1st 2023 or later (flexible).

Our research
The Gloriam group ( www.gloriamgroup.org) identifies functional probes and drug-like ligands for G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) the most common mediators of human signalling and drug responses. The group also heads the GPCR field's main database, GPCRdb ( http://www.GPCRdb.org ) serving more than 50,000 users/year. The Gloriam group is very international, provides a strong and ambitious research environment and has recently published in e.g., Nature, Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Nature Chemical Biology and Nucleic Acids Research.

Job description
You will apply our unique unpublished data and algorithms to identify functional probes and drug-like ligands for dopamine and serotonin receptors targeted in schizophrenia and drug addiction. You will work as part of a team of highly proficient and collaborative drug designers. In your project, you will also engage experimentalists medicinal chemists and pharmacologists that will synthesize and test your candidate probes/drugs.

The position is part of a DKK 35M Collaborative Project aiming to develop data-driven design tools to improve treatment of schizophrenia and drug addiction ( https://lundbeckfonden.com/en/datadrevne-designvaerktoejer-skal-forbedre-behandling-skizofreni-afhaengighed ). The project runs in close collaboration with Amy H. Newman (medicinal chemistry), Bryan Roth (in vitro pharmacology) and Ulrik Gether (neuropharmacology). Ultimately, your probes will help uncover the molecular mechanisms to target therapeutic over adverse effects in schizophrenia and drug addiction.

Career development within research and education is part of the position. The candidate can gain relevant teaching experience (10% of the time), which will support the development of a relevant teaching track record and portfolio.

Profile
We are looking for one or two highly motivated and ambitious computational drug designer(s).

Essential experience and skills:

• A MSc in computational chemistry or similar topic
• Experience of computational ligand identification and optimization
• Aptitude for learning new concepts and methods
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience of working with G protein-coupled receptors
• Skills in using the Schrdinger Drug Discovery Suite and PyMOL
• Shell scripting, programming in Python or other languages
• International work or study experience

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen (www.drug.ku.dk). We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and computational facilities.

Terms of employment
The employment as PhD is a full time and fixed-term position for 3 years. Starting date is after agreement. Salary, pension, and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant's successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project to the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty's rules on achieving the degree.

The PhD student is expected to be affiliated to the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy.

Currently, the monthly salary starts at DKK 28,400 / approx. EUR 3,780 (October 2022-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1% to a pension fund.

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities of January 2020.

Questions
For specific information about the position, please contact Professor David Gloriam ( david.gloriama#,#sund.ku.dk ) or PhD coordinator Marianne W. Jørgensen, e-mail: marianne.joergensen#,#sund.ku.dk , direct phone: +45 3533 6449.

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School's website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

For more information on working and living in Denmark: https://ism.ku.dk/, and http://www.workingconditions.ku.dk

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments all in PDF format:

1. Letter of motivation for application (cover letter). Please mention why you are interested in the position and why this could be the right project for you.
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a Master of Science certificate.
4. List of publications, including a separate section or marking of up to 5 most important selected articles.

As a prerequisite for a PhD employment, your master's degree must be equivalent to a Danish master's degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database . Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

Application deadline: 28 February 2023, 23.59pm CET We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held within a month after the application deadline.

If interested, please apply for position on line at https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1307&ProjectId=158443&DepartmentId=19218&MediaId=4638

University of Copenhagen and Denmark Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology. Read more at www.sund.ku.dk and www.drug.ku.dk .

Copenhagen is a modern capital with plenty of opportunities in culture, design, architecture, restaurants, and a diverse nightlife. At the same time, the city offers beaches, beautiful parks and green nature areas, and the Copenhageners bike everywhere. The Danish society prioritises a good work-life balance, and the work culture is well adjusted for families with children. Read more at http://ism.ku.dk/

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe's top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture creates the ideal framework for a successful academic caree