Project: MHC class I antigen presentation in health and autoimmunity of type 1 diabetes mellitus
Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) is a Chinese C9 League university included in the state-level Project 211 and Project 985, and the hub of the University Alliance of the Silk Road. The Second Affiliated Hospital of XJTU Medical School is a modern hospital with comprehensive care facilities that integrates medical teaching, scientific research and preventive health care, and ranks in China’s top 100 hospitals. With about 3,600 employees in more than 50 specialized clinical departments with roughly 2,200 beds, more than 80,000 patients in part-time and full-time inpatient treatment as well as 1,900,000 patients in ambulant treatment are medicated each year.
At the Xi’an Jiaotong University, Medical School, the Second Affiliated Hospital, we are offering initially for 2 years a Postdoc position (m/f) in the research group of Prof. Malgorzata Garstka in full-time with the option of further extension.
Starting date: as soon as possible
We seek qualified early career researchers who are motivated, collaborative and committed to research excellence. The successful candidate (m/f) should have a PhD degree with a strong background in biochemistry, biotechnology or biophysics.
We are interested in MHC class I molecules - central controllers in the immune responses whose functioning involves a series of complex cellular processes. Moreover, MHC class I antigen presentation associates to a series of pathologies including autoimmune diseases, viral infections and transplant rejections (Luimstra et al., Curr Protoc Immunol 2019; Luimstra et al., JEM 2018; Garstka et al., PNAS 2015; Garstka and Neefjes Mol Immunol, 2013; Garstka et al., FASEBJ 2011; Howe et al., EMBOJ 2009; Horst et al., J Immunol, 2011; Garstka et al., J Biol Chem, 2007; Horst et al., J Immunol, 2009). The goal of the lab is to define how MHC class I antigen presentation contributes to autoimmunity of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and translate these findings into early diagnosis and treatment options. Our work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, XJTU and the Second Affiliated Hospital of XJTU. We collaborate with the scientists at the Core Research lab, the medical doctors at the Endocrinology Departments of the First and Second Affiliated Hospitals of Xi’an Jiaotong University and the Fourth Military Hospital in Xi’an, and the crystallographers at the Frontier Institute of Science and Technology of XJTU. International collaborators include the research groups in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and the UK.
Overall purpose:
To work within the Group of Prof. Malgorzata Garstka at the Core Research Lab, Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical School of Xi’an Jiaotong University, within a programme aimed at understanding the molecular mechanism of MHC class I antigen presentation in health and autoimmunity of T1DM. Specifically, to perform the systematic study of T1DM-predisposing and protective MHC class I alleles and determine the structural and dynamic properties of the MHC I molecules that contribute to auto-reactivity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Key approaches will involve medium-scale E.coli cultures for protein production, protein purification using ÄKTA pure chromatography system and characterization using ITC isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), native gels, in vitro enzymatic reactions and protein-protein and protein-ligand binding assays.
Main duties:
•To study the molecular mechanism of MHC class I antigen presentation in T1DM using a range of experimental techniques
• To present and discuss own scientific work and current developments in the field at seminars within the Core Research Laboratory and at the external meetings;
• To write scientific articles, and contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication;
• To assist in the training of incoming research fellows and graduate students in proper laboratory procedures and conduct;
• To contribute to the Xi’an Jiaotong University mission in the scientific research, and the translation of research findings into novel treatment options;
Preferred Qualifications:
• PhD in the biochemistry, biotechnology or molecular biology awarded no later than January 2017
• Solid expertise in biochemical techniques, including molecular cloning, protein production, purification and characterization, protein-protein and protein-ligand binding assays confirmed by scholarly publishing
• Experience in in silico methods that allow protein visualization and characterization is a plus
• Strong self-motivation and excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Experience in presenting scientific work, both written (scientific reports and papers) and orally
Salary and other bonuses: title and promotions according to the Xi’an Jiaotong University postdoc salary, housing subsidies, paid annual leave, nursery and kindergarten. Detailed information at:
http://info.xjtu.edu.cn/info/1019/19837.htm Personal development plan: individual, target-oriented advanced training, support of excellent scientists, program for young talents, possibility to develop to the independent position, cooperation and exchange with international labs in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and the UK.
Applications:
Please email an application as one single pdf-file (max 5 MB) to
[email protected], subject reference: Postdoc Application. You are invited to send within this file a cover letter, including a brief statement of research interests, CV, university degrees and the details of referees and references.
More information at:
For further information you may contact Prof. Garstka at
[email protected] Information about Prof. Garstka :
http://www.xjtu.edu.cn/jsnr.jsp?urltype=tree.TreeTempUrl&wbtreeid=1632&wbwbxjtuteacherid=2111The Second Affiliated Hospital:
http://www.en.2yuan.xjtu.edu.cn Xi’an Jiaotong University:
http://en.xjtu.edu.cn/index.htm
