PhD Studentship: Molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins

PhD Studentship: Molecular mechanisms of membrane proteins

Design and Characterization of Bio-inspired Nanosensors Engineered by Assembly of Receptors and Ion Channels

The subject. We have devised a novel type of bio-inspired sensors, Ion-Channel Coupled Receptors
(ICCR), based on the fusion of receptors with an ion channel serving as an electrical probe. Binding of
a ligand to the receptor triggers opening of the associated ion channel and an increased ion flux that is
easily detectable using existing techniques. This concept was validated by the creation of ICCRs
between a potassium channel and several G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) [cf. Moreau et al, 2008,
Nature Nanotech 3:620-5].

The thesis shall concern the structure-function study of receptor-channel interactions in existing ICCRs
and on the design and construction of new ICCRs. Work will involve molecular engineering, biophysics,
and bioinformatics. It should establish the foundation of high-performance bioelectrical sensors while
providing a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of GPCR activation and ion channel
gating.

Although this project has a strong biotechnological flavor, the approach shall remain very fundamental
with a strong focus on the structure and function of membrane proteins and on their interactions.
The place. The thesis will take place in the Channels lab within the Membrane Proteins Dept of the Institute for Structural Biology (www.ibs.fr/ laboratories/ membrane- protein-lab- lpm/transporters receptors-
and-ion). The Channels lab focuses on ion channels and membrane protein engineering and is recognized for its work on K-ATP channel and proteic biosensors.

IBS is a renowned institute in the field of structural and molecular biology. It is part of the Grenoble
scientific polygon with numerous research intitutes and colleges as well as several large instruments
such as the European Synchrotron. The site offers a stimulating scientific environment in the natural
surroundings of the French Alps.

The candidate. Strong academic background. Experience or interest in molecular biology, electrophysiology, or bioinformatics.The granting agency (CEA) will only consider candidates with top-tier academic records. There are no other restrictive conditions and foreigners can, and should, apply.

The position. The position is for three years starting in October 2010. The salary is very competitive
(~2000 €/month). Send a one-page CV to Michel Vivaudou (vivaudou@cea. fr). A full-fledged application will be requested  subsequently.

PhD Position in Open Source Software

PhD position (Open Source Software)

The Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich, offers a position for a PhD student working in the project "On the Interplay between Social Interactions and Software Architecture in Open Source" funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), starting as soon as possible.

This project brings together the fields of software engineering, statistical physics, and management to reap synergies between them and to advance the understanding of the complex socio-technological dynamics underlying Open Source Software, beyond the scope of one particular discipline.

The aims of this project are:

• To establish a holistic picture of the phenomenon of Open Source
• To understand the statistical laws governing the evolution of the software architecture, which may help developers to steer development towards favorable architectures
• To study the self-organization of projects and the resulting social dynamics, on the level of both software users and developers
• To analyze the link between software architecture and the project organization, as well as between the corresponding dynamics, which may enable new management principles or provide tools for smoothening the interface between software, developers, and users

Requirements:

* MSc degree or equivalent in computer science or a related field
* ability to develop formal models and computer simulations
* ability to combine data analysis and modeling
* good knowledge about graph algorithms and social network analysis is a plus
* strong abilities to communicate in an interdisciplinary scientific environment
* interest in becoming acquainted with methods from physics, economics, and management

We offer excellent working conditions in a lively team and cooperations with leading institutions worldwide.

Applicants are kindly requested to send their curriculum vitae, list of publications, names of at least three references, and an overview of their research interests (all in PDF files), to

Ms. Rahel Dulik
rdulik@ethz. ch

For specific inquiries, please contact Prof. Dr. Dr. Frank Schweitzer (fschweitzer@ ethz.ch).

website link:
http://www.sg. ethz.ch/openposi tions/phd_ oss

Postdoc Bio-informatics

Vacancy: Postdoc Bio-informatics

We are a microbiology and infectious diseases group in The Netherlands, investigating microbial flora in health and disease in relation to prevention of bacterial infections.

We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow bioinformatics/ -statistics who will help us to analyze complex metagenomic data in relation to epidemiological parameters. Besides the complex problem of interpreting phylogenetic data of microbiota, we find there are currently no
generally accepted statistical methods available to analyze complex communities in relation to epidemiological determinants, especially not in multivariate ways.

Our final goal is to model complex microbiota with the help of environmental and individual characteristics, with the ultimate goal to predict when disease will develop and to design preventive strategies.

We are looking for someone with experience in the field of metagenomics, bio-informatics, or adjacent fields, who does not dislike statistics and epidemiology, is not afraid of developing new tools, is creative, efficient, independent, and likes to work in a multi-disciplinary team.

The position is guaranteed for at least 3 years. The salary is depending on previous experience and according to the CAO for university medical centres (CAO-UMC: salary scale
10).

If you are interested, please contact:

D. Bogaert, MD, PhD
UMC Utrecht-WKZ
Department of Pediatric Immunology
Lundlaan 6 (room KC.03.068.0)
3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Phone: +31-88-7551754
E-mail: dbogaert@umcutrecht .nl

Oxford Scholarships - OCIS

Launched in 2009, the OCIS - Oxford Scholarships support British Muslim students as well as those from developing countries in Asia and Africa to read for degrees at the University of Oxford. Under the programme, up to five scholarships each year are available for undergraduate students from Muslim communities in Britain. A further five scholarships are available for postgraduate students, at least two of whom will be UK students from Muslim communities, while the rest will be students from specified countries in Asia or Africa. The scholarships are available to students undertaking study in a range of fields relevant to the needs of Muslim societies.

Applications for OCIS - Oxford Postgraduate Scholarships for the academic year 2010-2011 are invited through the University's normal admissions procedures. The scholarships cover University and college fees and a grant for living costs. An application for a scholarship is made at the time of completion of the Graduate Application Form. Further information is available from the University's web site. Details of the 'Scholarship Profile' for 2010 entry is now available.
http://www.ox. ac.uk/admissions /postgraduate_ courses/
http://www.admin. ox.ac.uk/ studentfunding/ scholarship_ profiles/ ocis.shtml

Two Ph.D. studentships in the Dept. Aerospace Engineering

Two Ph.D. studentships and one Postdoctoral fellowship are available  in Spacecraft Dynamics and Control, and Space Sensors and Actuators. The student will work in the Department of Aerospace  Engineering, Ryerson University (www.ryerson. ca/aerospace) . The research will be supervised by Dr. Krishna Kumar, Canada Research Chair. Dr. Kumar's areas of research include Nonlinear Dynamics and  Control, Sensors and Actuators, Sliding Mode Control, Intelligent Control, Orbit and Attitude Dynamics and Control, Formation Flying, and Underactuated Systems (refer to the web page:  http://www.kdkumar.com).

Scholarships for Applications Master of Human Rights

Scholarships and Call for Applications Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific)

Applications are now being accepted for study and for scholarships in the Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific) (MHRD).

The MHRD is a unique Master degree program in which students undertake a foundational semester of study at the University of Sydney, and then a second semester at one of the four partner universities:
Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia)
Mahidol University (Thailand)
Katmandu School of Law (Nepal)
University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Graduates of the course will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of human rights and democratisation in the Asia Pacific, and will have opportunities to research and examine the application of human rights and democratisation in the field with the partner institutions.