A PhD position is available in our lab (https://durdagilab.com/) at the Bahcesehir University, Istanbul. 

We are applying computational chemistry methods to biological systems in our research group. 
Our inter-disciplinary research focuses on protein engineering and analyses of their structural/functional
dynamics, ligand- and structure-based drug design, high throughput virtual screening,
machine learning, text mining, investigation of molecular mechanisms of protein/drug, protein/protein
and protein/DNA interactions and optimizations protocols for rational drug design. 
For this aim, together with applications of molecular modeling tools such as homology modeling, 3D-QSAR, 
molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, PMF computations, and applications of cheminformatic 
tools; we are also developing programing codes for several biological problems. 

A PhD position is available in the framework of the Marie Skodowska Curie - Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) project
"Targeting RNA as an approach for treating retinal disease (RETORNA). 

RETORNA aims to treat retinal diseases (RD) by using RNA therapy. In the framework
of this project, PhD candidate will work on a computational project which will be
related with the designing of novel aptamer-based AT1R targeted therapeutics against
retinal degeneration.

For more information about RETORNA: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101073316

We are looking for one highly motivated PhD candidate.

Essential experience and skills:

	MSc in computational biology or similar topics.
	Experience of computational drug design and optimization
	Ability to learn new concepts and methods
	Excellent English skills written and spoken
	Solid command of programming languages (in particular Python). 
	Good basic knowledge of theoretical chemistry.

The position is fully funded by European Union (Horizon Europe).

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months starting from autumn 2023 and fellow will 
be employed according to the rules for Doctoral Candidates in MSCA.

The monthly financial package will include the following allowances (gross):

	Living allowance of 3400 Euro
	Mobility allowance of 600 Euro
	Family allowance of 660 Euro (if applicable)

Other benefits: 

Doctoral candidate (DC) will benefit from a large variety of activities. 
DC at RETORNA project will be provided with a unique multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral training. 
First and foremost, DC will be trained as scientists, each of them in their host institution, 
at their research  secondments, and through local and network wide events.
Next, thanks to the  partnership between academic and non-academic 
entities DCs will receive multi-sectoral  inputs from both worlds. 
This will happen via lectures and workshops in our varied training program. 


Eligibility Criteria:

	candidates can be of any nationality
	must comply with the following mobility rule: researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility 
        (i.e., move from one country to another) and participate in all the activities 
        foreseen by the project when taking up the appointment (trainings,summer courses, annual meetings, lectures, 
        participation in conferences, public activities).
	possess a Master degree or an equivalent that allows the access to the doctoral program in the Bahcesehir University - BAU
	not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary 
        for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.Short stays, such as holidays, 
        are not taken into account.

The following 2 specific requirements are not mandatory at the moment of application, but the selected candidate will have to 
proceed with acquiring the requirements in the first months of the contract:
	GRE result of at least 151 in the quantitative score type or GMAT result of at least 465 in total
	English Proficiency Result Certificate (YDS:65, TOEFL:79, YKDIL:65) is required.(For English Language Education Program; YDS: 80, YKDIL: 80, TOEFL: 96)

Interested candidates may send their CVs together with cover letter and contact details of two referees to the following e-mail address:

andreea.craciun ~~ ucv.es

The application deadline is April 13, 2023.