PhD Student in Neuroscience Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Italy

A PhD position is available at the Department of the Neuroscience and Brain Technology of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy on the expression, purification and structural characterization of pharmaceutically relevant ionic membrane transporters. The researcher will join Dr Laura Cancedda’s laboratory of ‘Local Micro-environment and Brain Development’, working in close collaboration with Dr Marco De Vivo’s laboratory of ‘Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery’ (IIT), as well as an external partner located in a top Institution in the USA. Importantly, the research project will involve an initial extended period of research in the USA. 

The researcher will be involved in biochemical/biophysical studies to elucidate the structure-function relationships of complex proteins belonging to pathways relevant to specific neurodevelopmental diseases. The candidate must possess an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy or any Life-sciences discipline. 

The candidate is expected to have: 

 (i) experience in expression and purification of recombinant proteins from different host cells.
 (ii) experience with protein purification methods
 experience in using biochemical and biophysical methods (e.g., SPR, ITC, EPR, NMR), for protein structural and functional characterization as well as for investigations of protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. 
 (iii) computer skills with experience in data management, data analysis and statistical analysis.
 (iv) experience with relevant laboratory procedures used in molecular biology research would be a significant advantage. 

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated researcher, with excellent analytical and communication skills and will work in a cutting-edge and highly-collaborative research environment. 

Please provide a cover letter, a CV, and the names of three referees to Laura Cancedda (laura.cancedda@iit.it) and Marco De Vivo (marco.devivo@iit.it).