Research Associate, Computational Ion Channel Design, Synthetic and Structural Biology 100%

Ref: IOB 167

The Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) seeks a highly motivated Research Associate. IOB is a research institute combining basic and clinical research. Its mission is to drive innovations in understanding vision and its diseases and develop new therapies for vision loss. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your abilities challenged, and your knowledge expanded.

We are recruiting a Research Associate in computational ion channel and membrane-protein design (protein design, structural and synthetic biology). In this role, you will drive an end-to-end, design–build–test cycle: computationally design engineered ion channels (e.g., light-responsive membrane proteins), translate designs into expression constructs, and validate function in mammalian systems in collaboration with colleagues performing quantitative assays (with access to high-throughput electrophysiology and advanced imaging). The position combines structure-based protein engineering with modern learned-model–assisted design workflows (e.g., structure prediction, inverse folding/sequence design, sequence scoring, and generative sequence/structure proposal tools) and hands-on experimental execution (mammalian cell culture, transfection/transduction, expression optimization, and protein/function characterization).

Your position

• Own the computational and structural design cycle for ion channels and light-sensitive membrane proteins (concept - design hypotheses - in silico screening - selection of candidates for testing), in close interaction with experimental and translational collaborators.
• Define clear design objectives and success criteria and translate designs into practical construct and assay plans.
• Develop and apply learned-model–assisted protein design workflows (structure prediction, inverse folding/sequence design, sequence scoring, and generative proposal methods) and integrate them with experimental feedback across iterative design cycles.
• Execute a targeted experimental validation workflow (limited hands-on bench work): some routine mammalian cell culture, DNA cloning/construct handling as needed, transfection/transduction, and small-scale expression testing in HEK/CHO (or equivalent).
• Coordinate and interpret functional readouts generated with the team (e.g., electrophysiology, imaging, biochemical assays), using results to iterate designs.
• Communicate progress and results clearly in internal updates, written documentation, and project meetings; contribute to conference presentations and manuscripts as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records and effective day-to-day communication with your supervisor and collaborators.

Your profile

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in computational biology, protein engineering, structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, or a closely related field.

• ≥3 years of post-graduate (or equivalent) experience with at least two of the following:
• computational/structure-based protein design (especially membrane proteins or ion channels),
• learned-model–assisted protein design workflows (e.g., structure prediction, inverse folding/sequence design, protein language-model–based sequence scoring, and generative sequence/structure proposal tools),
• generative or library-based design and screening strategies (incl. directed evolution),
• molecular biology for rapid design–build–test cycles (cloning, construct design, expression optimization),
• metagenomic mining/discovery pipelines and annotation,
• quantitative functional screening (microplate assays and/or electrophysiology/imaging readouts).

• Strong motivation to develop and refine methods, primarily in silico, with a light but competent experimental component.
• Highly organized and precise; comfortable managing multiple design iterations with rigorous documentation and version control.
• Solid programming and data-analysis skills (e.g., Python) and experience working with structural biology and protein-design software/toolchains (e.g., Rosetta; structure-prediction workflows such as AlphaFold-derived or equivalent; inverse-folding/sequence-design and generative design tools; MD/analysis toolchains).
• Practical competence with mammalian cell culture and sterile technique; familiarity with BSL1/BSL2 environments.
• Evidence of impact in protein design (e.g., first-author work, open-source contributions, released methods, or demonstrated engineered-function outcomes).

We offer you