| Employer: |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Job Number: |
4015496 |
| Date Posted: |
01/22/2015 |
| Application Deadline: |
Open Until Filled |
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Job Description
Postdoctoral Position in Bioorganic Polymer Chemistry
Position summary:
The laboratory of Professor Richard A. Gross at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI in Troy, NY) is performing fundamental, exploratory and applied research to address some of our planet’s most challenging problems (group website http://homepages.rpi.edu/~grossr/index.htm). The Gross group is developing new knowledge and technologies in biocatalytic and chemo-enzymatic routes to biobased materials from peptides, glycolipids, biologically derived nanofibers, self-assembled systems, natural polymer modification, enzymatic polymerizations and functional bioresorbable polymers for biomedical applications. We are currently seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work on protease-catalyzed peptide synthesis. However, strong skills in any of the above described research areas will also be considered. The strongest candidate as demonstrated by peer reviewed journals, excellent recommendations, strong writing skills, demonstrated skills in supervising other students, working in teams and the ability to think independently will ultimately guide the selection process. Selected references of recent research published by our group are listed below. Interested candidates should also search Gross lab publications.
Qin, Xu; Khuong, Anne C.; Yu, Zheng; Du, Wenzhe; Decatur, John; Gross, Richard A. “Simplifying alternating peptide synthesis by protease-catalyzed dipeptide oligomerization” Chemical Communications 49(4), 385-387 (2013).
Viswanathan, Kodandaraman; Schofield, Mark H.; Teraoka, Iwao; Gross, Richard A. Surprising metal binding properties of phytochelatin-like peptides prepared by protease-catalysis, Green Chemistry, 14, 1020–1029 (2012).
Qin, Xu; Xie, Wenchun; Su, Qi; Du, Wenzhe; Gross, Richard A. Protease-catalyzed oligomerization of L-lysine ethyl ester in aqueous solution, ACS Catalysis, 1(9), 1022-1034 (2011).
Mao, Zhantong; Ganesh, Manoj; Bucaro, Michael; Smolianski, Igor; Gross, Richard A.; Lyons, Alan M. “High Throughput, High Resolution Enzymatic Lithography Process: Effect of Crystallite Size, Moisture, and Enzyme Concentration” Biomacromolecules 15(12), 4627-4636 (2014).
Peng, Yifeng; Munoz-Pinto, Dany J.; Chen, Mingtao; Decatur, John; Hahn, Mariah; Gross, Richard A. “Poly(sophorolipid) Structural Variation: Effects on Biomaterial Physical and Biological Properties” Biomacromolecules 15(11), 4214-4227 (2014).
Peng, Yifeng; Totsingan, Filbert; Meier, Michael A. R.; Steinmann, Mark, Wurm, Frederik; Kho, Amanda; Gross, Richard A. “Sophorolipids: Expanding structural diversity by ring-opening cross-metathesis” European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology (2014) Ahead of Print.
Li, Geng; Wu, Jun; Qin, Xu; Zhu, Jianhui; Viswanathan, Kodandaraman; Dong, He; Somasundaran, P.; Gross, Richard A. “Chemo-enzymatic Routes to Lipopeptides and Their Colloidal Properties” Langmuir, 30(23), 6889-6896 (2014).
Peng, Yifeng; Decatur, John; Meier, Michael A. R. and Gross, Richard A. “Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of a Naturally Derived Macrocyclic Glycolipid, Macromolecules, 46(9), 3293-3300 (2013).
Zhang, Yu-Rong; Spinella, Stephen; Xie, Wenchun; Cai, Jiali; Yang, Yixin; Wang, Yu-Zhong; Gross, Richard A. “Polymeric triglyceride analogs prepared by enzyme-catalyzed condensation polymerization” European Polymer Journal, 49(4), 793-803 (2013).
Kundu, Santanu; Bhangale, Atul S.; Wallace, William E.; Flynn, Kathleen M.; Guttman, Charles M.; Gross, Richard A.; Beers, Kathryn L. “Continuous Flow Enzyme-Catalyzed Polymerization in a Microreactor” Journal of the American Chemical Society 133(15), 6006-6011 (2011)
Job Description
We seek a person skilled in studies of peptide synthesis by chemical and/or enzymatic routes. However, a candidate with an outstanding track record in research related to biocatalytic and chemo-enzymatic routes to biobased materials from peptides, glycolipids, biologically derived nanofibers, self-assembled systems, natural polymer modification, enzymatic polymerizations and functional bioresorbable polymers for biomedical applications will also be considered. Candidates must have a strong foundation in structural analysis (MALDI-TOF, one and two dimensional NMR experiments, LC-MS as well as other chromatographic and spectroscopic methods) and organic chemistry. Experience with enzymes is an important plus for the successful candidate. For example, work with one or more of the following enzyme families would be desirable (proteases, lipases, cutinases and peroxidases). Synthesized peptides, polymers, glycolipids etc. will be explored in applications that include antimicrobial, therapeutic, self-assembly, colloidal properties (e.g. interfacial tension) and as building blocks in advanced materials. Experience in conjugation chemistry will be beneficial since biobased building blocks such as peptides will be conjugated to other molecules, particles or surfaces. Other desirable skills include experience in common methods of enzyme activity assays, polymerization methods, selective organic transformations and characterization of self-assembled small and large molecules. Very important is the candidate’s ability to produce high quality manuscript drafts and to present their work via oral presentations. Experience in mentoring students is also a plus. The successful candidate should also enjoy collaborations with scientists and engineers outside of their discipline. To be considered for this position, the candidate must have first authored publications in peer reviewed journals in the English language where he/she is first author on at least two of these publications. This position will be filled within 90 days of posting so that the candidate should be available to start work within that time period.
The successful candidate will work at RPI’s Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS, http://biotech.rpi.edu/) that serves as the primary focus of biotechnology research, training, and outreach at Rensselaer. The Center facilitates multidisciplinary research in the basic life sciences, engineering sciences, and technology development and maximizes the impact of Rensselaer’s investment to benefit society.
Other Requirements
• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Bio-Organic Chemistry, Polymer Materials Science and Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Biochemistry, Biotechnology or a related discipline.
• Due to the highly collaborative nature of the position, excellent interpersonal and communications skills are an essential characteristic of a successful candidate.
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships while collaborating with other scientists, engineers, and technicians in closely related disciplines.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, and time-management skills are essential
About RPI: Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the nation’s oldest technological research university. Driven by talented, dedicated, and forward-thinking faculty, Rensselaer is experiencing a dramatic expansion its research enterprise fueled by leveraging its existing strengths and focusing on five signature research areas: biotechnology and the life sciences; energy and the environment, computational science and engineering; nanotechnology and advanced materials; and media, arts, science, and technology. The research carried out by the successful candidate will bring many of the above existing strengths together to maximize the programs impact.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has a strong institutional commitment to diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
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