Cryo-EM Postdoc: Bacterial Immunity & CRISPR

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate structural mechanisms of bacterial immune systems, including CRISPR–Cas complexes and anti-phage defenses. The role leverages state-of-the-art cryo-EM to reveal architecture, mechanism, and evolution of defense systems.

The successful candidate will access a 200 keV Talos Arctica and collaborate across biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics for integrative insights.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with single-particle cryo-EM (data collection, processing, interpretation).
• Strong background in protein expression, purification, and biochemical characterization.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and optimize experimental workflows.
• Evidence of productivity through publications or preprints.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Determine high-resolution structures of bacterial immune complexes using single-particle cryo-EM.
• Prepare, purify, and characterize protein complexes, including large multi-subunit assemblies.
• Collect and process cryo-EM data using the Talos Arctica and downstream pipelines (crySPARC/RELION).
• Integrate structural findings with biochemical and genetic data to define mechanism of action.
• Develop and optimize workflows for sample prep, grid screening, and image acquisition.
• Collaborate with computational and molecular biology teams to link structure to function.
• Lead manuscript preparation and present findings at meetings and conferences.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers in a collaborative lab.

Skills

Cryo-EM

Protein expression

Biochemistry

Teamwork

Publications

Education

PhD in Structural Biology

Tools

Talos Arctica

cryoSPARC

RELION

Job description

Montana State University seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate structural mechanisms of bacterial immune systems, including CRISPR–Cas complexes and anti-phage defenses. The role leverages state-of-the-art cryo-EM to reveal architecture, mechanism, and evolution of defense systems.

The successful candidate will access a 200 keV Talos Arctica and collaborate across biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics for integrative insights.