Enzymology is an important branch of biochemistry and molecular sciences that involves the study of enzymes, and the reactions they catalyse. As enzymes majorly serve as biological catalysts, they accelerate the rate of biochemical reactions either in the living system or outside of the body/cell. Since the activities of several enzymes can be coupled to each other, enzymes can perform multiple reactions simultaneously, with the individual catalysis being determined by equilibrium properties of the substrates, metabolites and the product(s). Enzymology encompasses isolation of enzymes from their sources (solely biological entities) often requiring purification procedures including various chromatographic techniques and electrophoresis; studying their molecular structures often involving X-ray crystallography, NMR and Cryo-Electron Microscopy; Determination of their physical properties such as isoelectric point, electrophoretic mobility, pH, temperature, stability, and spectroscopic characteristics; Determination of their kinetic properties- rate of catalysis, specificity, and catalytic direction; and determination of their catalytic mechanisms. Enzymology is central to product development in biological systems; therefore, enzymes have wide applications in various industries such as Pharmaceutical, Food, Detergents, Biotechnology, Environmental Protection, Agriculture, and Textiles. As a result, enzymology provides a strong backbone for development of entrepreneurship. Owing to these central roles of an enzymologist, the proposed enzymology and molecular science chair is expected to interface with the four domains at AGC viz Biodiversity Genomics, OMICS and Metabolic Engineering, Genome Editing, and Natural Product Chemistry and Metabolomics, to execute innovative product development research for invention of products (drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, pesticides and herbicides) and services of commercial values in line with the visions of UM6P.
Job Description:
The AGC is seeking to appoint a Professor of Biochemistry/Biomedical Chemistry, with expertise in Enzymology and Macromolecular Sciences encompassing; Protein Isolation and Purification, Structural Biology, X-ray Crystallography, Gene Cloning and Heterologous Overexpression combining Synthetic Biology, and Bioinformatics. The candidate should have experience in deployment of these expertise for rational design of drugs and vaccines for various diseases of humans and animals, including pesticides and herbicides. The candidate should also be knowledgeable with isolation of medicinal compounds from microorganisms and plants. Additionally, she/he will be helping with large-scale production of enzymes for use in the development of biosensors and biosystems that are applicable to agriculture, environment, food, and biomedical fields. The candidate should have a background in drug design, disease diagnosis, genetic engineering for industrial purposes, optimized synthesis of various industrially relevant chemical compounds, and engineering microbial communities. The applicant should have an outstanding publication record in enzymology and macromolecular sciences, and product development. Applicants should be proactive in pursuing independent research program, able to work collaboratively, and show evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration.
The position will be part of an interdisciplinary environment, where the candidate will be able to interact with researchers in diverse areas from biodiversity genomics, natural product chemistry, microbial engineering, agricultural and environmental biotechnology, metabolic engineering and microbiology, among others.
Responsibilities:
Primary responsibilities encompass:
- Supervising graduate students and postdocs in the fields of Enzymology and Macromolecular sciences, bioengineering, biotechnology, synthetic biology.
- Developing collaborative research programs in Macromolecular sciences and synthetic biology for potential industrial application.
- Writing grants.
- Supporting institutional research and academic programs and actively participating in institutional activities.
Eligibility:
Be a professor in a recognised university.
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry/biomedical chemistry, biotechnology, or related fields.
- Postdoctoral experience in enzymology and structural biology particularly X-ray crystallography.
- Demonstrated expertise in Enzymology and Macromolecular Sciences evidenced by publications in top-rated journals.
- Must have supervised not less than 10 verifiable PhD and MSc candidates.
- Experienced in grantsmanship with track record of winning grants and successfully completed funded research projects.
- Have a strong record of inventions with proves of patents or other intellectual property rights.
- Have active networks of fruitful international collaborations.
- Strong communication skills suitable for diverse audiences demonstrated by presentations at scientific conferences.
- Demonstrated commitment to both research, training, and mentorship.
For more information, visit the AGC website: http://agc.um6p.ma or email: Pr. Mohamed Hijri at Mohamed.hijri@um6p.ma
UM6P.
