"Postdoctoral Research Associate - Biochemistry"

Position Summary

The Ghanbarpour Laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at WashU Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our interdisciplinary research program.

Our lab investigates how bacteria and human mitochondria maintain homeostasis and respond to stress and environmental challenges. A central focus of our research is uncovering the molecular mechanisms of ATP-dependent AAA proteolytic machines, both soluble and membrane-spanning, and their accessory factors in bacterial and mitochondrial systems. We study how these complexes assemble, achieve substrate specificity, and promote bacterial recovery from antibiotic stress, environmental changes, and pathogen attack. These efforts combine cryo-EM and cryo-ET structural biology, biochemical and cellular assays, and mass spectrometry.

The lab also explores bacterial defense mechanisms against bacteriophage infection, including rewiring of proteolytic systems and the deployment of innate immune strategies that enable survival during phage attack. In addition, another major focus of our research is protein engineering and the development of new molecular tools based on these proteolytic systems.

Experience in cryo-EM/cryo-ET is highly desirable; additional expertise in biochemistry, genetic microbiology, or protein engineering is a plus.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will gain extensive hands-on training in cryo-EM sample preparation and data analysis, heterogeneity analysis tools, mass spectrometry, membrane biology, biochemistry, and cellular assays. The Ghanbarpour Laboratory and WashU Medicine provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for structural biology, biochemistry, and mass spectrometry, along with a highly collaborative research environment. Importantly, postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to dedicate up to 20% of their time to an independent research project, with the opportunity to develop a faculty-level research proposal. This position is well suited for individuals pursuing careers in academia and supported by NIH grant R35GM160328, the Longer Life Foundation, and WashU startup funds.

Related papers:

1. Zhang T.; Barbosa R.; Ghanbarpour, A.; Laub, T. M.; Activation of a bacterial immunity protein via supramolecular assembly with multiple phage triggers, Nature (2026).
2. Iqbal, N.; Keller, S.; Ghanbarpour, A. Structural plasticity of the membrane-bound protein degradation assembly supports bacterial adaptation to stress. Biorxiv, 2025.
3. Ghanbarpour, A.; Telusma, B.; Powell, B.; Zhang, J. J.; Bolstad, I.; Vargas, C.; Keller, S.; Baker, T. A; Sauer, R. T; Davis, J. H.; An asymmetric nautilus-like HflK/C assembly controls FtsH proteolysis of membrane proteins, The EMBO Journal, 44, 2501 (2025).
4. Ghanbarpour, A.; Sauer, R. T; Davis, J. H.; A proteolytic AAA+ machine poised to unfold a protein substrate, Nature Communications, 15, 9681 (2024).

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Assists with grant preparation and reporting.
• Prepares and submits papers on research.
• Assists in the design of research experiments.
• Evaluates research findings and assists in the reporting of the results.
• Conscientious discharge of their research responsibilities.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains compliance with good laboratory practice including the maintenance of adequate research records.
• Engages in open and timely discussion with their mentor regarding possession or distribution of material, reagents, or records belonging to their laboratory and any proposed disclosure of findings or techniques privately or in publications.
• Collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members of the research group.
• Adherence to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated in University laboratories remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions:

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Required Qualifications

Education: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Skills: Collaboration, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations, Experimentation, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Techniques, Researching, Results Reporting, Scientific Writing