Welcome to the John Mitchell research group
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Machine Learning Approaches to Predict Enzyme Function
£29,972 pahttp://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/ACI857/research-fellow-in-chemistry/
This project is being undertaken by Dr John Mitchell’s research group in the modern Biomedical Sciences Research Complex. This computational project is sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). In this work, we will use machine learning methods to predict the catalytic functions and chemical mechanisms of enzymes. The key idea in our work is to identify the reaction mechanism, if any, catalysed enzymatically by a protein structure. The possible reaction mechanisms considered are the 300 or so distinct entries in our database MACiE. Our principal machine learning method is Random Forest, simply a forest made out of many different randomly created decision trees. After predicting the reaction mechanisms, we will apply chemoinformatics, docking and virtual screening to suggest substrates for the enzyme reactions identified.
We seek to appoint a highly computer literate postdoctoral scientist with a PhD in the Life, Chemical, Physical, Computer or Mathematical Sciences. Knowledge of, and experience in, at least one of the following areas is required for this position: bioinformatics, chemoinformatics, machine learning, computational chemistry, biological or pharmaceutical chemistry. A high level of computer literacy is expected and experience of scientific computing, preferably including some programming skills, would be an advantage. The position is available for three years from 1 June 2011, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Informal enquiries to Dr John Mitchell, jbom@st-andrews.ac.uk
Closing Date: 11 April 2011
Interview Date: Week commencing 25 April 2011
Please apply online at https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/welcome.aspx
Please quote ref: JC7960