Postdoc in Cryo-EM

An NIH-funded Postdoctoral Associate position is open in the laboratory of Dr. Alex Vecchio in the Department of Structural Biology at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Research in the Vecchio lab focuses on elucidating the structural and functional biology of human membrane proteins and membrane protein complexes involved in intercellular transport at epithelial and endothelial tight junctions.

Current research spans these primary topics:

1. 3D structure determination of small integral membrane proteins and their complexes.

2. Quantitative biochemical and biophysical characterization of membrane protein/protein interactions essential for tight junction integration and assembly.

3. Development of biomolecular tools to investigate structure/function relationships between individual or complexed tight junction membrane proteins and for enabling determination of their structures.

Grant info | Webpage | Recent pubs

Uniqueness of position: The postdoc will develop methods for structure determination of Vecchio Lab targets by cryogenic electron microscopy. They will take samples prepared by the lab and focus on screening and optimizing vitrification parameters and processing resulting data in novel ways to assess sample quality and structure determination potential. This info will be used to inform on ways to improve sample preparation to yield high resolution structures.

Other responsibilities: A major responsibility is to train lab personnel in sample vitrification and processing of cryo-EM data. In addition to assisting Vecchio Lab personnel in their projects, the postdoc will have an independent project that aligns with the interests of the lab. So, expression and purification of proteins and complexes is also expected.

Salary range: $50-58,000. The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.

Minimum qualifications: Ph.D. in structural biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related discipline. All degree requirements, including dissertation, must be completed. The candidate should also possess effective written, verbal, and listening skills.

Preferred qualifications: 2+ years’ experience in sample preparation, data processing, and protein structure determination by cryogenic electron microscopy. Willingness and experience training or teaching.

Application process: Applicants should submit (1) a Cover Letter highlighting their experience, projects of interest, and fit within the lab; (2) current CV; and (3) contact information or letters from 3 references to vecchioa_at_buffalo_dot_edu.

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, the Research Foundation will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin and veteran or disability status.