Job Utrecht University, Department of Science - 2 PhD researchers Bacterial cell wall synthesis pathway (1,0 fte)

Background
The peptidoglycan layers surrounding bacteria are essential for bacterial cell survival. Their synthesis in bacteria requires the concerted action of a dynamic and transiently formed network of proteins including inner membrane, periplasmic and even outer membrane proteins in gram-negative bacteria. Besides, cell wall synthesis is tightly linked to cell division, as some cell wall synthesis enzymes have been proven to reside in the divisome, an assembly of proteins that governs cell division. Both cell wall synthesis and cell division are essential processes for the bacterial cell and thus are potential targets for antibiotic development.

Topics
In our group we have two PhD-positions available that cover different aspects within our research on the bacterial cell wall synthesis pathway.

1) The first position is funded by an NWO-ECHO grant and concerns the study of penicillin binding proteins, the workhorses of the bacteria that build the bacterial cell wall. Using novel chemical biology techniques, such as nonsense suppression mutagenesis to incorporate unnatural amino acids, we will map interaction sites of these proteins with their substrate. This should lead to a novel assay by which new antibiotics can be identified. Moreover, it may ultimately lead to imaging of ongoing cell wall synthesis on a single molecule level.

2) The second position is funded by the ZonMW-AMR program (antimicrobial resistance). This project, that is a close collaboration with the group of Prof R. Orru (VU University, Amsterdam), aims to develop novel antibiotics that target the cell wall synthesis machinery. Specifically, a key enzyme in the cell wall synthesis pathway, MraY, will be targeted by newly designed antibiotics. Besides this target, also an analogous process within the synthesis pathway of another major cell wall constituent, wall teichoic acids, TarO will be targeted. Both targets will require purification of the proteins which will allow us to set up novel screening assays, that will be based on fluorescence techniques.

We are looking for ambitious and highly motivated candidates with a Master's degree in chemistry, biology or biomedical sciences or pharmaceutical sciences with ample experience in analytical chemistry and/or (bio)chemistry.

The candidate is offered a full-time position for a maximum of 4 years.

The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project. You can find more information on the website.

The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.

The section Biochemistry of Membranes is part of the Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science of Utrecht University. Research within the section is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind life processes that involve biological membranes. It is the aim of our research to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying membrane assembly, organization and function, with special emphasis on the lipid-protein interactions involved. Part of our internationally highly recognized research lines focus on the bacterial cell wall synthesis pathway. 

For more information about this position, please contact Dr E.J. Breukink, e-mail: e.j.breukink@uu.nl.