Cell permeability assessment and integration of innovative small molecules for antibacterial R&D

You will contribute to the development and validation of in vitro tests and algorithms to determine antimicrobial activity and toxicity of novel antimicrobial molecules in the BREAKthrough project.

Your mission will be the development and validation of microbiology and in vitro tests, computer tools, as well as the improvement of algorithms to determine and assess the cell permeability of innovative small molecule compounds that demonstrate antimicrobial activity after the screening process by:

• Synthesising key small compounds to validate assays;
• Participating in screening tests to assess activity of novel compounds using a panel of up to 20 microorganisms;
• Participating in several microbiology tests: MIC/MBC tests, killing curves, synergy-antagonism with commercial compounds, frequency of mutant generation;
• Participating in cytotoxicity studies with several cell lines from different tissues;
• Developing new PK/PD in vitro tests (Hollow fiber).

Also, you will collaborate with other DCs of the project on:

• Synthesis of focused library
• Stress response and Bam assay
• L,D-TPase assay evaluation

The goal will be to prioritise and select high quality Hits and Leads molecules that meet multiple developability criteria (weighted profile) and therefore increase the chances to identify robust candidates, reducing technical risk and maximising success in reaching the market.

Through secondments inside the consortium, the DC will be exposed to research seen from the side of academic and non-academic institutions, therefore you are expected to spend 1 month at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) in Spain for synthesis of Bam inhibitors and 4 months at Symeres in the Netherlands for library synthesis.

The candidate will be enrolled at ABAC Therapeutics (Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain) and must register for a PhD at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ).

 

Candidate profile

• Qualifications: Degree in Health Sciences (required)
• Experience:
  • 1-2 years of experience in research laboratories and in cell culture and/or microbiology is required
  • Experience in handling cell culture and type 2 pathogenic microorganisms
  • Computer science experience will be valued
  • Organic synthesis knowledge will be taken into account
• Abilities and skills:
  • Interest in disruptive innovation and thinking outside the box
  • Sense of urgency and work for objectives
  • Focused on generating valuable results
  • Own initiative, autonomy
  • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records are essential
  • Ability to write research reports
• Language levels:
  • English: Excellent (required)
  • Spanish: Good (desirable)

 

Secondments

1. Host: Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia; supervisor: Prof. Rubén Martín Romo (1 month)
2. Host: Symeres; supervisor: Dr. Anita Wegert (4 months)

 

Employment

Host institution: ABAC Therapeutics SL (Barcelona, Spain)
Supervisor: Dr. Antoni Torrens
Starting date: Between 01/04/2023 and 31/07/2023
Duration: three years, full-time
Working conditions and benefits: The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant in collaboration with the main supervisor.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with

1. The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013),
2. the rules and regulations laid down by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) European Training Network,
3. and the faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

 

How to apply

Complete applications are written in English (in pdf format) and include:

1. Motivation letter of application (max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Letters of recommendation

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above mentioned requirements.

Selection process: The interviews will take place online. There may be a final on-site interview if necessary.
Contact person: Antoni Torrens, Lucía Cesar