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Postdoc position to model enzyme catalyzed polym ... (No replies)
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Project: Multiscale modeling of enzyme-catalyzed polymer biodegradation.
Background:
Solvay is a world leader in high-performance Specialty Polymers by providing the broadest selection of advanced materials. The products have been created to maintain the performance in the harshest environments: each one with the specific combination of properties needed for exceptional heat resistance and chemical inertness, strength and toughness, light weighting and design flexibility, biocompatibility and many more. Recently, the scientific interest in biological degradation of polymers has been increasing exponentially, due to environmental and social concerns. Both microorganisms and enzymes were shown their capability of depolymerization. Multiple studies of polymer biodegradation have been described in the literature, with a focus on the experimental perspective. However, the successful depolymerization of polymers requires not only the discovery of various types of microorganisms and enzymes, but also an in-depth understanding of the interaction and reaction with the polymer. The goal of this project is to combine various modeling techniques to simulate the biodegradation of a Solvay polymer. Our main strategy is two-fold: i) identify the microorganism and the related enzymes to break our polymer of interest by docking approaches; ii) reaction pathway study by QM/MM simulations to understand the depolymerization mechanisms, to provide free energy levels of all intermediates, and to predict rate-limiting steps. Our ambition is to shed light on the bioengineering of depolymerase and also on designing high-performance polymers with better degradability.
Vacancy description:
In collaboration with its industrial partner E2P2L-SOLVAY-CNRS based in Shanghai, the group of Prof. Carine Michel (vice-director of the Laboratoire de Chimie, ENS Lyon, France) and the group of Prof. Sophie Sacquin-Mora (Research Director of Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Paris, France) is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to develop molecular simulation of polymer biodegradation.
Application deadline: July 15th, 2023
Starting date: March 2024
Duration: 12 months
Salary: around 4950 € / month before tax
Financial support: CHINA, CNRS - K.C. Wong Education Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships
Recruitment procedure:
1. This program is only open to young candidates living in mainland China, with postdoc experience of 0 to 2 years (maximum). Chinese scholarship holders currently in France who are seeking to extend their stay are not eligible to apply.
2. The applicants should be currently employed by a scientific or academic institution in China mainland, or have confirmed employment with such institutions after the completion of their Fellowship.
3. Applicants with an experience in QM/MM, DFT, MD, docking and enzyme catalyzed polymer degradation simulations would be plus.
4. The applicants should have strong communication skills, as well as a strong motivation for working on a project involving chemistry, biology, enzyme catalysis and industrial partners.
5. Applicants should have a good command of spoken and written English. Some knowledge of French will be useful for the daily life.
If you are interested, please send your resume with all publications and professional experiences to Dr. Changru Ma (changru.ma AT solvay.com) before July 14th, 2023.