"Post-Doctoral Associate"

Job Details

About the Job

The Protein Acrobatics Lab at the University of Minnesota is seeking a Post-Doctoral Associate to join our group. This postdoctoral position will leverage our lab’s broad expertise in protein engineering, biochemistry, biophysical approaches, and cell signaling to pursue independent projects examining intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). In addition, the candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with labs with expertise in molecular modeling, data science and analytics and structural biology to further both their project and career goals. As we are broadly pursuing how to translate this work to drug discovery efforts through ongoing collaborations with pharma, this position will provide translational research opportunities.

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are desirable therapeutic targets in multifactorial diseases including metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. However, IDPs are difficult to drug using traditional approaches. We hold that creative, mechanism-driven basic science approaches will advance drug discovery efforts targeting IDPs.

Our group recently published a study detailing how the third intracellular loop (ICL3) of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), an IDP region, regulates intracellular signaling downstream of this receptor (Sadler et al, Nature, 2023). ICL3 acts as an allosteric site through its ensemble of conformational states that change based on the signaling state of the receptor. We are seeking a postdoctoral candidate who would engage on a screening effort to identify endogenous binding partners that target IDP regions in GPCRs involved in schizophrenia, diabetes, and cancer. Further, this individual will have the opportunity to engage in developing technologies to identify new IDP-targeted allosteric modulators.

Essential Duties:

70% - Conduct Research: Candidate will use a combination of directed protein evolution, time-resolved FRET spectroscopy, GPCR molecular pharmacology, and protein design strategies to target G protein coupled receptors.

30% - Train Lab Staff, Write Scientific Manuscripts and Grant Applications, Work with the PI on technology commercialization opportunities through UMN, and Present at National Meetings.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Ph.D., DDS, DVM, JD, MD or equivalent.

The ideal candidate will have extensive wet-bench biochemistry, cell biology and/or biophysics experience. Specific skills include standard molecular biology techniques, protein purification, and cell culture. Experience with flow cytometry is highly desirable. The candidate should have a passion for research and should be highly self-motivated to succeed in a supportive lab environment.

About the Department

The Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development encompasses a broad range of biological disciplines, including the storage and expression of information, its translation into the workings of individual cells, and the assembly of cells into tissues and organ systems.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $62,232 for new post-doc, up to $75,564 for year 7 (we follow NIH Stipend Levels); depending on education/qualifications/experience. Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility. Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off. Continuous learning opportunities through professional training. Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans. Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. University HSA contributions. Disability and life insurance. Employee wellbeing program. Financial counseling services. Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online on the University of Minnesota application portal. To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.