[3dem] 2 years PostDoc at NVD Italy

[Ferlenghi, Ilaria]

Dear  colleagues,

The Structural Biology Unit at Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics (NVD), Siena, Italy, is seeking a candidate for a 2-year post-doctoral project opportunity. The SB team is comprised of about 10 members (5 full-time staff plus PhD students and Undergraduates), with key expertise in Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Modelling, Electron Microscopy, and X-ray Crystallography. The SB team has a strong track record of publications describing innovative research aimed at the design and development of novel protein-based vaccines against bacterial pathogens that cause infectious disease (please see examples below). We believe this provides a solid platform to perform publishable post-doctoral research in a stimulating environment of Applied Science.

Based in the heart of Tuscany, NVD - the fifth largest vaccine producer worldwide - is a research-oriented company that has developed a wide network of international academic collaborations, sharing its findings with the global scientific community. At NVD Siena, funding for Individual (“Marie Curie”) post-doctoral EU Fellowships has been successfully obtained on several previous occasions. For the 2013 EU FP7 People Call, we have what we hope will be another winning scientific research project proposal. We are seeking an excellent candidate with whom to develop and submit this application.

The primary project goal is the structure-based design and optimization of a novel protein antigen for use in a vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus. The emergence of S. aureus as one of the most important pathogens causing morbidity and mortality in humans, and the rapid acquisition of antibiotic resistance, underlies the increasing need for a preventive staphylococcal vaccine. The core of the project involves protein biochemistry and structural biology (X-ray crystallography and/or Electron Microscopy), and these would be the most desirable core skills in potential applicants. The research proposal also has a multi-disciplinary flavour and will provide development opportunities for the candidate to gain experience in immunology and vaccine design, at the forefront of Research and Development.

Eligibility: the candidate should be an experienced researcher (holds a PhD or >4 yrs post-graduate experience), can be from within or beyond the EU but should not have lived in Italy for >12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the application deadline (August 14th, 2013).

Informal enquiries for further details can be made to matthew.bottomley at novartis.com<mailto:matthew.bottomley at novartis.com> or to ilaria.ferlenghi at novartis.com

Within Monday 17th June, interested candidates should provide a letter of introduction and CV to:
Matthew J Bottomley (matthew.bottomley at novartis.com<mailto:matthew.bottomley at novartis.com>), Head of Structural Biology Unit, Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Siena, Italy or to Ilaria Ferlenghi ( ilaria.ferlenghi at novartis.com), head os Structural Microscopy, Novartis Vaccines & diagnostics, Siena, Italy.

Timelines:
Strong candidates will be contacted for a telephone interview, in order to allow completion of the application by mid-July.

Application results are expected in Nov/Dec 2013, enabling the successful candidate to begin work in Siena around Mar/Apr 2014.

Thank you for considering this opportunity!

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Bottomley

A selection of relevant publications from NVD:

1) Malito E et al. “Defining a protective epitope on factor H binding protein, a key meningococcal virulence factor and vaccine antigen.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (2013).

2) Mariotti P et al. “Structural and functional characterization of the Staphylococcus aureus virulence factor and vaccine candidate FhuD2.” Biochem J. (2013).

3) Mishra RP et al “Staphylococcus aureus FhuD2 is involved in the early phase of staphylococcal dissemination and generates protective immunity in mice”. J Infect Dis. (2012).

4) Scarselli M et al “Rational design of a meningococcal antigen inducing broad protective immunity.” Sci Transl Med. (2011).



5) Spraggon G et al “Supramolecular organization of the repetitive backbone unit of the Streptococcus pneumoniae pilus.” PLoS One (2010).



Ilaria Ferlenghi PhD
Novartis Academy PhD Director
Structural Microscopy
Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics
Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
Office: +39 0577 243412, Mobile: +39 3493358293

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