Job Information
Rutgers The State University Post-doctoral Associate in New Brunswick, New Jersey
Position Details
Recruitment/Posting Title | Post-doctoral Associate |
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Department | SEBS-Plant Biology |
Salary | Commensurate With Experience |
Posting Summary | A joint postdoctoral position is available in the laboratories of Dr. Nilgun E. Tumer in the Department of Plant Biology and Dr. Jacques Roberge in the Office of Research at Rutgers University to identify small molecule inhibitors against ricin and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2). Shiga toxins are the main virulence factors of Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) that causes food poisoning and ricin is a worldwide problem as a biothreat agent. There is no effective therapy and there is an urgent need to counter disease caused by these toxins. We have used fragment-based drug discovery (FBLD) with surface plasmon resonance using Biacore 8K+ to identify lead compounds that bind to ricin and Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) and inhibit their activity. The successful candidate will work on optimizing the compounds identified from our recent work using fragment-based methods and structure-based design 1-4. Fragment optimization by medicinal chemistry, as well as docking and binding site analysis by SiteMap, WaterMap and FEP+ will be used to optimize the leads. The affinities will be determined using a fluorescence polarization assay, potency will be analyzed in cell-free and cell-based assays. A virtual screen will be carried out to identify new chemical scaffolds and new binding elements to combine with our current leads. The ideal candidate should have a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry or a related field and experience in synthetic chemistry, computational docking and screening for drug discovery. Interested applicants must apply online through ROCS system of Rutgers University and upload CV, research interests, PhD certification, and contact information for at least 4 references. Information on Dr. Tumer's research can be found at: And for Dr. Jacques Roberge can be found at: 1. Rudolph, M. J.; Dutta, A.; Tsymbal, A. M.; McLaughlin, J. E.; Chen, Y.; Davis, S. A.; Theodorous, S. A.; Pierce, M.; Algava, B.; Zhang, X.; Szekely, Z.; Roberge, J. Y.; Li, X. P.; Tumer, N. E., Structure-based design and optimization of a new class of small molecule inhibitors targeting the P-stalk binding pocket of ricin. Bioorg Med Chem 2024, 100, 117614. 2. Rudolph, M. J.; Davis, S. A.; Tumer, N. E.; Li, X. P., Structural basis for the interaction of Shiga toxin 2a with a C-terminal peptide of ribosomal P stalk proteins. J Biol Chem 2020, 295 (46), 15588-15596. 3. Li, X. P.; Harijan, R. K.; Kahn, J. N.; Schramm, V. L.; Tumer, N. E., Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting the Interaction of Ricin Toxin A Subunit with Ribosomes. ACS Infect Dis 2020, 6 (7), 1894-1905. 4. Li, X. P.; Harijan, R. K.; Cao, B.; Kahn, J. N.; Pierce, M.; Tsymbal, A. M.; Roberge, J. Y.; Augeri, D.; Tumer, N. E., Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Ricin Inhibitors Targeting Ribosome Binding Using Fragment-Based Methods and Structure-Based Design. J Med Chem 2021, 64 (20), 15334-15348. |
Position Status | Full Time |
Posting Number | 24FA0289 |
Posting Open Date | 03/15/2024 |
Posting Close Date |
Minimum Education and Experience | Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry or a related field, and experience in synthetic chemistry, computational docking and screening for drug discovery. |
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Certifications/Licenses | Ph.D. |
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities | |
Equipment Utilized | |
Physical Demands and Work Environment | |
Overview | |
Statement | Information on Dr. Tumer's research can be found at: And for Dr. Jacques Roberge can be found at: |
Special Instructions to Applicants | Interested applicants must apply online through ROCS system of Rutgers University and upload CV, research interests, PhD certification, and contact information for at least 4 references. |
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Quick Link to Posting | |
Campus | Rutgers University-New Brunswick |
Home Location Campus | Cook (RU-New Brunswick) |
City | New Brunswick |
State | NJ |
Location Details | Plant Biology Department, 59 Dudley Road - Foran Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 |
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