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PHD POSITION IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY - STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY BRUSSELS (VUB/VIB), BRUSSELS, BELGIUM We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student interested in biochemical and structural studies on tRNA modifying enzymes and enzyme complexes at The Structural Biology Brussels laboratory (Vrije Universiteit Brussel / VIB) – Brussels, Belgium. VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) is an interdisciplinary non-profit research institute based at 4 Flemish universities and employs a vibrant community of 1000 life scientists. The Structural Biology Brussels lab focuses on the functioning of proteins in all its aspects. Our multidisciplinary team of about 40 researchers is housed in new laboratory facilities and combines extensive expertise in structural biology (X-ray crystallography, NMR and atomic force microscopy), biophysics and molecular biology (for more info: http://www.structuralbiology.be/). Project description: One of the topics in our lab deals with the study of the structure and function of tRNA modifying enzymes. tRNA molecules are transcribed as precursors that need to be extensively processed and chemically modified before they can be used in translation. Many bases in tRNA undergo post-transcriptional modification to increase the stability, to modify cognate codon recognition and to affect aminoacylation properties. Many of these post-transcriptional modifications are critical for proper tRNA function. During your PhD you will be studying the functioning of tRNA modifying enzyme complexes and the interaction with their tRNA substrates, using an integrated approach of X-ray crystallography, enzyme kinetics and different biophysical methods. Start date: The position is available immediately and will remain vacant until a suitable candidate is found. Profile: Candidates should have a recent Masters degree in Biochemistry, Bio- engineering, Biology, Chemistry or related. Skills in either molecular biology or protein chemistry & purification or protein crystallography would be an asset. Contact: Please send applications (including CV, research experience, and at least two names and contact information for references) to: Wim Versées, Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium - [log in to unmask] ------- Wim Versées Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel VIB Department of Molecular and Cellular Interactions Vrije Universiteit Brussel Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium phone: +32 2 6291849 fax: +32 2 6291963 e-mail: [log in to unmask]