Arbetsbeskrivning

Do you have expertise in, and a passion for biocatalysis? Are you curious about its potential application in modifying small molecule leads? Would you like to apply your expertise to impact how researchers can use enzymatic catalysis in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines? If yes, join the Biocatalysis team in Discovery Sciences at AstraZeneca and unlock the power of what science can do. About the Opportunity The primary objective of this position is to offer an emerging researcher an exceptional opportunity for advancing their expertise and proficiencies where biocatalysis is used to develop clean, atom economic and sustainable routes to small molecule targets of interest utilising hydrogen in combination with Ni-Fi or Fe-Fe hydrogenases for efficient cofactor recycling with particular focus on UPO (unspecific peroxygenase) catalysed oxidations. The role is part of a larger consortium including TU Munich, TU Delft and TU Graz. For more information see https://www.circulh2.com/. This Postdoc is an EU Horizon 2020 project funded under the call HORIZON-CL6-2023-CIRCBIO-01 (Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors), Project no. 101135542. The role is funded for 2 years. Project Focus This project will conduct pioneering research in the development of hydrogenases for the large-scale deployment of H2 as a circular energy carrier in industrial biotechnology based on enzymatic cascades. More specifically we are interested in developing technologies for atom efficient cofactor regeneration using hydrogenases and hydrogen in combination with unspecific perooxygenases for small molecule oxidations. Our Postdoctoral fellow will form a collaborative nexus with accomplished interdisciplinary scientists from the CirculH2 consortium, and from within AstraZeneca, lead by Prof. Martin Hayes (Discovery Sciences) an expert in biocatalysis and Dr Giulia Bergonzini (Director, Synthetic Chemistry in DS). There will be close collaboration with staff scientists at Enzymicals, https://enzymicals.com/ a biocatalysis focussed SME based in Griefswald, Germany. What You'll Do As a postdoctoral fellow you will pioneer and lead research aimed at advancing ground-breaking biocatalytic chemistry using methyl(alkyl) transferases for the late stage modification of early stage hit/ lead small molecules. You will take part in collaborative efforts with other departments in AstraZeneca and with external technology providers to prosecute the development of these biocatalysts as credible catalysts for use in industry. Key Duties & Responsibilities: * Devise strategies for the implementation of innovative enzyme cascades combining H2, hydrogenases and UPOs for the selective oxidation of C-H bonds in target small molecules * Use automation, miniaturisation, and data analytics to build workflows and understanding for in vitro screening and scale up to be efficiently performed * Plan, draft and publish impactful papers in high impact scientific journals and skillfully present research findings internally and at external conferences * Opportunities to mentor PhD students, graduate scientists, and master thesis students Qualification, Skills & Experience The AZ Postdoc programme is aimed at individuals who are either: * Not more than 5-years after completing their doctoral degree (PhD, DVM, or MD) - PhD already awarded, or * Postgradute Students, about to obtain doctoral degrees (the PhD must be awarded within 6 months of joining AstraZeneca) Essential Requirements * A PhD, or equivalent in biocatalysis, enzyme engineering, organic chemistry or a related field * Passionate about science - Your ability to conduct independent and innovative research is vital * Established track record of research productivity, substantiated by proven publication record and/or presentations * Experience in designing and executing experiments, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills * Excellent written and verbal communication skills * Exceptional collaborator - Working effectively in a team, exchanging ideas, and contributing to joint research efforts Desirable Requirements * Proficiency in synthetic organic chemistry and protein engineering * Experience with analytical tools esp. HT-LCMS, GCMS, NMR * Experience building enzyme cascades, biocatalytic reaction scale up * Interest in data and workflows, and application to biocatalysis * Experience of modelling, docking, MD tools as applied to biocatalysis Next Steps If your passion is science and you want to be part of a team that makes a bigger impact on patients' lives, then there's no better place to be. This advert will be open from 17th October 2024 and, we welcome your application as soon as possible, but ahead of the scheduled closing date of 1st November 2024. In the event, that we identify suitable candidates ahead of the scheduled closing date, we reserve the right to withdraw the vacancy earlier than published.