Postdoctoral Position in Computational Drug Design and Biophysics

The Salsbury group will be hiring at least one postdoctoral research fellow to work on the design and development of chemotherapeutics using computational methods; chiefly molecular dynamics, and structure-based drug design tools.

Two major projects in the Salsbury group aim at developing chemotherapeutics that act through either the induction of apoptosis, or preventing the shut-down of apoptosis. The aims of these projects are to develop an understanding of the structure and dynamics of proteins and to use this understanding in drug design. Computationally, these aims involve molecular dynamics simulations, the statistical analysis of simulation data, virtual screening and refinement of potential therapeutics. Candidate therapeutics have already been developed computationally, have been screened and are undergoing mouse trials, and so future work will involve both refinement of these therapeutics and development of additional candidates.

These projects are multi-disciplinary and involve collaborations with synthetic chemists and cancer biologists, who synthesize the candidate molecules and test the computational predictions.

The Salsbury group uses computational tools, primarily those of molecular biophysics, to solve biological, health-related problems. Questions about the position, and applications, should be directed to salsbufr@wfu.edu. Applications should include a statement of interests, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference.