POST-DOCTORAL POSITION IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY AVAILABLE in the  
laboratory of Tiina A. Salminen at the Structural Bioinformatics  
Laboratory  (SBL), Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering,  
Abo Akademi University, Finland.  
http://www.abo.fi/fakultet/en/biokemisbl

Project: Role of Siglec-mediated conformational motions and functional  
interactions in leukocyte adhesion
with relevance to targeting  
of inflammatory disease

The project focuses on characterization of the multifaceted  
interactions between Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins  
(Siglec-10 and Siglec-9) and human vascular adhesion protein -1  
(hVAP-1), which is an adhesion protein involved in leukocyte  
trafficking and an enzyme with amine oxidase activity. The adhesive  
and enzymatic functions of hVAP-1 are linked and, thus, inhibitors of  
its enzymatic activity could be used in treating acute and chronic  
inflammatory conditions and in preventing tumor progression and  
metastasis. The major aim of this project is to elucidate the  
functional dynamics of Siglec-hVAP-1 interactions in leukocyte  
adhesion. Our ultimate goal is to utilize the obtained information for  
diagnostic and therapeutic purposes to develop better tools for  
imaging inflammation and to design novel ligands, which can be further  
developed for anti-inflammatory agents.

SBL is located at the Abo Akademi University (official language  
Swedish) in Biocity, Turku. Our laboratory is well equipped with  
facilities for protein purification, crystallization and in situ X-ray  
imaging of crystals (PX Scanner, Agilent) and computational resources  
for 3D structure determination and structural bioinformatics.

Applicants are expected to have: (1) PhD degree and good knowledge of  
protein structure and molecular interactions, (2) experience in  
protein expression, purification, crystallization, data collection and  
structural analysis of macromolecules and (3) experience in  
biophysical methods for analysis of protein-protein and protein-ligand  
interactions.

Candidates do not need to fulfill all the qualifications but  
experience in laboratory work on some of the above listed areas is  
essential. Since the project is done in collaboration with a PhD  
student and several external collaborators the applicant should enjoy  
working in a collaborative environment. Good knowledge of written and  
spoken English is required.

Salary: The salary will be based on the demand level 5 of the salary  
system in Finnish Universities and includes a component based on  
personal performance.

Duration: 1.9.2015- 31.8.2019 (funded by Academy of Finland;  
possibility for shorter contracts)

Application: The application should include 2-3 pdf files: (1) a brief  
statement describing expertise and research interests and (2) CV with  
list of publications and contact information of 1-2 references (or  
letter of recommendation) by e-mail to tiina.salminen(at)abo.fi with a  
subject line “Postdoctoral position”. Candidates are encouraged to  
send applications before 27.7.2015. Review of applications will begin  
immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants will  
be evaluated based on qualifications and suitability for the project.

-- 
Tiina Salminen, PhD, Adjunct professor in structural biochemistry
Senior lecturer in structural biochemistry and bioinformatics
Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory
Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Abo Akademi University
Tykistökatu 6A
FIN-20520 Turku
Finland