Msca-Dn Glycandrug: Synthesis Of Fucose And Sialic Acid Mimetics Able To Selectively Disrupt The Function Of Key Glycosyltransferases Implicated In Cancer
Universities and Institutes of Italy
22 Jun 2023
Job InformationOrganisation/Company
University of Florence
Department
Department of Chemistry 'Ugo Schiff' - DICUS'
Research Field
Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Italy
Application Deadline
1 Oct 2023 - 20:30 (Europe/Rome)
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
HE / MSCA
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer DescriptionGlyCanDrug is a glycoscience-oriented European Training Network funded in the framework of HORIZON Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA- DN). Within GlyCanDrug, Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will be equipped with a thorough multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in the discovery of cancer precision therapeutics and the necessary transferable skills. GlyCanDrug will provide an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary educational program, according with the EU Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training. This will put DCs in an advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry.
DC1: This PhD project will focus on the identification of small molecules able to selectively interfere with the creation of key glycan motifs implicated in cancer. With this in mind, the DC will be trained in the synthesis and characterization of new glycomimetics (fucose and sialic acid mimetics) using an original version of the 4+2 inverse electron demand hetero Diels Alder reaction (ihDA). The DC will also perform structural biology and cancer biology studies to unveil information on the interaction of the synthetic glycomimetics with the target glycosyltransferases (fucosyltransferases and sialyltransferases).
Host Institution : Department of Chemistry ‘Ugo Schiff', University of Florence, Italy. https: // www. chim.unifi.it/
Duration : 36 months, starting between January 2024-April 2024.
Supervisor: Barbara Richichi. https: // www. researchgate.net/profile/Barbara- Richichi
Co-supervisor : Tamas Sohajda (Carbohyde, HU), Marco Marradi (University of Florence, IT); Progress Committee Members : Barbara Richichi, Tamas Sohajda, Marco Marradi, Robert Sackstein (Florida International University, USA).
PLANNED SECONDMENTS. 1. CSIC (Academia, ES), structural biology; 2. i3S (Academia, PT), cancer biology; 3. Carbohyde (Industry, HU), translational drug discovery.
PhD School enrolment: Chemical Science at the University of Florence (https: // www. dottoratoscienzechimiche.unifi.it/index.html)
RequirementsResearch Field
Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Chemistry » Other
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- 5-years degree (Master) in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry or related fields.
- Practical experience in organic chemistry and characterization techniques.
- Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written).
- Team spirit and proactive attitude.
Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Good
Research Field
Chemistry » Organic chemistry
Internal Application form(s) needed
Application FormAnnexAEuraxess.pdf
English
(432.45 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional InformationBenefits
The salary of the DCs will be paid according to the MSCA rules. See: https: // marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/calls/msca-doctoral- networks-2022
Eligibility criteria
The position is open to candidates (of any nationality) that fulfil the requirements set for the DCs funded by MSCA. Equal opportunities policy without distinction on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation will be applied. Eligibility criteria for MSCA-DN researchers https: // ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/… pages 80-82/111 At the time of recruitment applicants must fulfil the following rules: ➢ Experience: eligible applicants must not have a PhD yet, whereas they must have a 5-years degree (Master). ➢ Mobility: the DCs must not have resided in the country where the research training activities will take place for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment date (and not have carried out their main activity (work, studies) in that country).
Selection process
APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applicants can apply for up to 3 projects within the consortium, indicating the order of preference. All applications will be checked for eligibility. Incomplete applications will be ignored. Applications must be in English. The applicant must send the following documents (IN A ONE SINGLE PDF FILE) to the email specified (e-mail: [email protected]) within 1st October 2023, clearly indicating in the subject “Application for DC1 position”: 1) an updated CV (EU pass format: https: // europa.eu/europass/it/create- europass-cv including the details of education/qualifications, work experience, language skills and other relevant skills); 2) a motivation letter (max 1 page); 3) full names, affiliation and email addresses of at least 2 potential referees (at least one of them from one former supervisor and/or lecturer); 4) the scan of the degree (usually the Master Degree) which would formally entitle him/her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher will be recruited. In case the degree has not been obtained yet, it is necessary to send an official declaration of the university stating that the degree will be obtained before the expected starting date and the documents reported at point 5); 5) a certified document indicating the ranking and marks at the Master Degree as well as the courses/modules they have attended. This document is mandatory for applicants who do not have yet obtained the degree at the time of the application. 6) a summary of the Master Degree thesis or a brief description of the past scientific activity. 7) format application. Before the signing of the GA, the format application will be sent to people interested upon request on the email: [email protected] 8) Copy of a valid ID/Passport.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Supervisors will pre-select candidates for each position, based on the information included in the application procedure that will be evaluated against the following criteria: - Educational record; - scientific quality of the applicant's CV; - expected individual impact and benefit to the fellow and to the project; - previous experience in the subject of the GlyCanDrug research programme. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with multiple supervisors from the network (online or in-person). Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written) will be considered. Candidates will be notified of the outcome.
Additional comments
STARTING DATE Start of employment is foreseen between December 2023/January-April 2024. The starting date of each PhD contract shall be set according to local rules of the Beneficiary institution and in agreement with the local supervisor of the selected DC project. However, the PhD contract may not begin before the starting date officially established for the GlyCanDrug project, that is 1st December 2023.
The position is open to candidates of any nationality, as long as they fulfil the requirements set for the DCs funded by MSCA ( Annex A ). The applicant must send the documents in the Annex A to the email specified ([email protected]) within 1 st October 2023, clearly indicating in the subject “ Application for DC 1 position ”.
Work Location(s)Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
University of Florence
Country
Italy
State/Province
Firenze
City
Sesto Fiorentino
Postal Code
50019
Street
Via della Lastruccia 13
Geofield
Where to applyState/Province
Firenze
City
Sesto Fiorentino
Website
https:// www. unifi.it
Street
Via della Lastruccia 13
Postal Code
50019
Phone
+390554573492
STATUS: EXPIRED