**Site Name**: Italy - Siena
**Posted Date**: Dec 12 2024
Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) are a class of unique integral membrane proteins anchored in the Outer Membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria.
They represent about 2-3% of the total encoded bacterial genes and they consist of ß-barrel structures formed by 8 to 26 strands and by loops of various sizes.
Different OMPs share similar structures and biological properties but can possess very different sequences and functions.
However, due to their high hydrophobicity content, OMPs are often difficult to be recombinantly produced in their native conformation as soluble proteins, thus hampering their development as subunit vaccines.
- The goal of this Post-Doctoral role will be focused on:_
- The aim of this project is to define a strategy to design and express OMPs from different pathogens as soluble recombinant proteins, harnessing cutting-edge computational techniques and optimized expression systems.
In partnership with the Computational Design team, different in silico approaches, including state-of-the-art AI/ML approaches, will be investigated to obtain soluble OMPs, fine-tuned to match their native structures and conformation.
The different designs will be expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli, ranked in terms of expression and solubility and biochemically characterized to confirm the presence of folded structures.
- You will work at the interface between experimental and computational science and you'll iterate over the design and evaluation steps with the final goal of developing a pipeline for systematically designing soluble membrane proteins.
- Working on multidisciplinary teams, you'll collaborate closely with computational teams and data tech teams to validate designs, and you'll navigate complex biological and protein landscapes, accelerating protein engineering and vaccine design.
- You'll also play a vital role in enhancing our computational infrastructure and standardizing experimental data collection and reporting processes, contributing to a future-focused and cohesive scientific environment.
**Basic Qualifications & Skills**:
- PhD in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, or similar
- Experience in recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization and/or vaccine product development (E. coli expression system and mammalian system preferred)
- Expertise in computational protein modelling and protein structure visualisation/analysis tools (AlphaFold, MOE, PyMol, ChimeraX)
- Understanding of protein structure (e.g.
X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy) and/or biophysical characterization (protein-protein interaction, protein folding, protein thermal stability)
- Fluency in English
**Preferred Qualifications & Skills**:
- Expertise in recombinant protein expression and purification/extraction of challenging membrane proteins
- Knowledge of Rosetta Suite and/or Basic programming skills (i.e.
Python)
- Experience in studying evolutionary correlation between species, organisms and serovars, and examining genetic variability across them
- Experience in managing and navigating databases to efficiently organize and access experimental data
**What we offer**:
**2 years Fixed Term contract** in a very Inclusive environment
Smart Working up to 50% for eligible roles
Performance Reward
Flexible Benefits
Company Healthcare Plan
Integrative pension fund
Employee Assistance Programme
Prevention services and vaccination clinic
Tax assistance
Local nursery agreement
Postal service, laundry, shoe repair and tailoring
On Site Gym
On Site canteens and coffee corners
Free company bikes and shuttle
**Why GSK?
**
**Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
**
GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose - to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together - so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns - as an organisation where people can thrive.
We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines.
We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).
Our success absolutely depends on our people.
While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it's also about making GSK a place where people can thrive.
We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be.
A place where they can be themselves - feeling welcome, valued, and included.
Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing.
So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
All qualified applicants will recei