ERA Chair Life Sciences Program to EmpoweR moleculAr aNd struCtural biology initiativEs at UPAT
The ESPERANCE, ERA Chair Project (ΗΟΡΙΖΟΝ-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-01)
Grant agreement ID
101087215
Start date
1 February 2023
End date
31 January 2028
Total cost
€ 2 499 017,50
Coordinator
UPAT, GR
Objective
UPAT is the third largest university in Greece and widely recognized as an excellent knowledge and research hub. The UPAT Departments of Medicine and Pharmacy reached their high standards by combining efforts of their cell biology, biophysics and structural biology research teams. In fact, their broad set of state-of-the-art equipment was recently combined into a national research infrastructure, also operating -albeit at modest level- in European biomedical and structural biology initiatives.
Thus far, the huge research and innovation potential of these UPAT groups are not yet fully exploited. The ESPERANCE project therefore aspires to expand and intensify their concerted actions by adding a part-time ERA Chair holder. This new group for ‘integrative molecular biophysics and structural biology’ will glue together the current research and education environment by boosting collaborative science and providing synergy. He will participate in training and be instrumental in developing UPAT’s national and international visibility by boosting translational research and open access opportunities for the UPAT research facilities. To achieve such ambitious goals, a very talented, respected, internationally operating Greek biophysicist, structural biologist and research facility architect from The Netherlands Cancer Institute has been attracted. Supported by his skilled local staff, he will participate in many activities to optimize local strategies for the UPAT research groups and infrastructure towards future sustainability.
ESPERANCE incorporates elaborate programs for training early career scientists, for attracting funding and talent, for collaborative actions with industry and for institutional restructuring. The development and enhanced capacity for the UPAT equipment will form an example for other local and nation-wide research infrastructures, and extent UPAT’s excellence, visibility, and competitiveness to benefit Greek research in the European Research Area.
Objectives of the UPAT’s ESPERANCE ERA Chair project (2023-28)
Job & Research Training Opportunities
The program offers several research positions for experienced and young investigators in the fields of Molecular, Cellular and Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Drug design:
- A Group Leader position for an experienced researcher. This is a full-time position for research, with significant involvement in all ESPERANCE project activities. The group leader will be expected to develop an independent research line aligned to the project objectives, and will be supported by two PhD students, allowing to take significant initiative, likely leading to a permanent future role at UPAT. Duration: up to 4,5 years in total. Salary: 2,500-3,000€ month depending on experience and qualifications. More information here.
- Three Post-Doc positions: 1 Post-Doc position in the general areas of stem cell physiology and pathophysiology, under the supervision of Prof. S. Taraviras (Dept of Medicine). 1 Post-Doc position in the field of maintenance of genome integrity focusing on regulation of genome replication and chromosome segregation, mechanisms in cancer development, under the supervision of Prof. Z. Lygeroy (Dept of Medicine). 1 Post-Doc position in the study of conformational and functional dynamics of key-players in pathways implicated in infection and host-cell defence, under the supervision of Prof. G.A. Spyroulias (Dept of Pharmacy). Duration: up to 1-4 years in total. Salary: 2,000-2,400€ month depending on experience and qualifications.
- Three PhD positions: 2 PhD positions to work under the supervision of the ERA Chair Group Leader and the co-supervision of Profs S. Taraviras, Z. Lygerou & G.A. Spyroulias in Molecular & Cellular biology projects. 1 PhD position to work on the NMR, Biophysical and Biochemical Characterization of viral and human proteins involved and/or competing in ADP-ribosylation pathway under the supervision of Prof. G.A. Spyroulias (Dept of Pharmacy). Duration: up to 3 years in total. Fellowship: 830€ month according to the UPAT’s rules.
- A Project Manager position, for project administration, monitoring, reporting and research management. Duration: up to 5 years in total. Salary: up to 1,600€ depending on experience and qualifications.
- A position for a Scientist (PhD or Post-Doctoral level) or an Application Specialist to set up in NMR and biophysics methodologies, to identify and explore funding opportunities and grant preparation/applications. Duration: up to 5 years in total. Salary: up to 1,600-1,800€ depending on experience and qualifications.
Application submission
Applications should be sent as a single PDF file, including a short letter of interest, a summary of major scientific achievements supported by at most three recent (within the last five years) publications (max 2 pages), a future research plan (max 2 pages), a CV (ideally in the EUROPASS format), and the names of at least two referees. Applications must be sent by email to Prof G.A. Spyroulias, G.A.Spyroulias@upatras.gr.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 20 February 2023
INTERVIEWS: Short listed candidates will be invited to an interview at the University of Patras, Greece, as part of the ESPERANCE kick-off meeting scheduled for April 24-25 2023; all candidates are strongly advised to keep these dates open.
UPAT is committed to a transparent, open and merit-based recruitment policy and actively seeks to achieve gender equality and ensure equal opportunities for all.