A position is available for a post-doctoral researcher (or Ph.D.  
student) at the Laboratory for Structural Neurobiology at the  
KULeuven, Belgium. The research in our laboratory is currently focused  
on the structural determination of several classes of prokaryotic and  
eukaryotic homologs of ligand- and voltage-gated ion channels. We have  
ongoing collaborations with several ion channel physiology groups on  
campus, including the labs of Dr. Jan Tytgat, Dr. Bernd Nilius and Dr.  
Thomas Voets, who have published leading papers in the field of heat/ 
cold- and ligand-activated TRP channels. We share part of our  
equipment with Dr. Sergei Strelkov’s Biocrystallography group, which  
is fully equipped with an X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku/Mar),  
crystallization facilities and computer cluster. More information  
about research at the University of Leuven can be found athttp://www.kuleuven.be 
.

The lab has several ongoing projects at various stages, ranging from  
expression screening to purified protein for a C-terminal domain of an  
ion channel and crystals for a nicotinic receptor homolog.

Leuven is a university town located 20 km east of Brussels. Rich  
history, remarkable architecture and proximity of both Brussels and  
the North sea make Leuven an outstanding location. According to  
Wikipedia <snip> Belgium is well known for its cuisine. Many highly  
ranked restaurants can be found in the high-impact gastronomic guides,  
such as the Michelin Guide. Belgian food is, like the country itself,  
a mix of Germanic and Latin influences. Belgians have a reputation for  
loving waffles and French fries; contrary to the name of the latter,  
both dishes originated in Belgium. The national dishes are steak- 
frites with salad, and moules-frites (mussels with frites). Brands of  
Belgian chocolate and pralines, like Callebaut, Côte d’Or, Neuhaus,  
Leonidas, Guylian and Godiva, are world renowned and widely sold.  
Belgium produces over 500 varieties of beer. The biggest brewer in the  
world by volume is InBev based in Belgium.</snip>

The successful candidate must be strongly motivated and should possess  
excellent written and oral communication skills. Experience in cDNA  
cloning, cell culture and protein purification techniques are  
required. Prior experience with membrane protein crystallography or a  
background in electrophysiology would be a major advantage. To apply  
for this position please send curriculum vitae, a brief statement  
describing technical expertise, future research interests and the  
names of at least two references to:

  chris.ulens at med.kuleuven.be

  The position is open immediately. Applications will be accepted  
until the position is filled.

  Selected publications of Chris Ulens’s research are:
- Dutertre S, Ulens C, Büttner R, Fish A, van Elk R, Kendel Y, Hopping  
G, Alewood PF, Schroeder C, Nicke A, Smit AB, Sixma TK, Lewis RJ.  
AChBP-targeted alpha-conotoxin correlates distinct binding  
orientations with nAChR subtype selectivity. EMBO J. 2007 Aug  
22;26(16):3858-67.
- Ulens C, Hogg RC, Celie PH, Bertrand D, Tsetlin V, Smit AB, Sixma  
TK. Structural determinants of selective alpha-conotoxin binding to a  
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor homolog AChBP. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S  
A. 2006 Mar 7;103(10):3615-20.
- Ulens C, Siegelbaum SA. Regulation of hyperpolarization-activated  
HCN channels by cAMP through a gating switch in binding domain symmetry.
  Neuron. 2003 Dec 4;40(5):959-70.
  - Ulens C, Tytgat J. Functional heteromerization of HCN1 and HCN2  
pacemaker channels. J Biol Chem. 2001 Mar 2;276(9):6069-72.

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Chris Ulens, Ph.D.
Lab of Structural Neurobiology
Division of Pharmacology
Campus Gasthuisberg, ON1
Herestraat 49, PB 601
B-3000 Leuven
Belgium
Tel +32 16 345812
Fax +32 16 345699
Telepathy 2.69 GHz
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