DC 7: Design and synthesis of compounds targeting the group II intron of Enterobacteriales and Candida

PhD project description:

PhD project description: The candidate will make use of equilibrium and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the landscape of the group II introns and potential new ligands. Structure-based and computer-aided approaches will be used to rationally drive the design compounds targeting RNA. Physico-chemical properties of the compounds will be computationally evaluated, like solubility and stability measures, to select the best compounds.

Research environment:

The De Vivo’s group is focused on the understanding of function and inhibition of pharmaceutically relevant enzymes, RNA and DNA, and functionalized nanoparticles. Within the group, computational methods for multiscale molecular modeling and simulations are fully integrated with medicinal chemistry and structural/molecular biology. This multidisciplinary approach allows to design, synthesize and test promising compounds potentially endowed with the desired pharmacological effect to treat primarily cancer, neurological disorders and inflammatory-related diseases.

Skills/qualifications:

• The candidate should have a major in chemistry, physics, or related disciplines.
• The candidate should have familiarity with the use of computers and coding, possibly computational chemistry and simulations.
• Familiarity with one of the following research activity is a plus: MD simulations, QM and QM/MM calculations, docking and virtual screening and computational structure-based drug design.
• Scripting abilities are highly desirable.

Benefits/salary/social security:

• Competitive salary package for international standards
• Wide range of staff discounts
• Flexible working time 
   
• An equal, inclusive and multicultural environment ready to welcome you with open arms.
• We like contamination and encourage you to mingle and discover what other people are up to in our labs! 
• If paperwork is not your piece of cake, we got you! There’s a specialized team working to help you with that, especially during your relocation!
• If you are a startupper or a business-minded person, you will find some exceptionally gifted professionals ready to nurture and guide your attitude and aspirations.
• If you want your work to have a real impact, in IIT you will find an innovative and stimulating culture that drives our mission to contribute to the improvement and well-being of society!
• We stick to our values! Integrity, courage, societal responsibility and inclusivity are the values we believe in! They define us and our actions in our everyday life. They guide us to accomplish IIT mission!

A financial package whitch includes three monthly allowances: 1 ) Living allowance of € 3,331.60,  2) Mobility allowance of € 600,  3) Family allowance (€ 495), if applicable, as reported in the MSCA Work Programme. Employer costs and other deductions depend on recruiting host and country.

For more information about the position, please contact Marco De Vivo.