Post Doc - Open Rank

University of Massachusetts Medical School; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Munson Lab is seeking a postdoctoral associate to lead cryoEM-based projects focused on exocyst regulation in exocytosis. The successful candidate will design, perform, and interpret experiments and present findings in written and oral formats.

The role emphasizes training and mentoring junior scientists in a dynamic structural biology community with strong core facilities and collaborative culture.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field.
• Experience in cryoEM structure determination is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, carry out, and analyze cryoEM- and complementary experiments to study exocyst function in exocytosis.
• Communicate findings through written and oral presentations; train and mentor junior scientists.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary lab with core facilities and resources.

Education

Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field

Job description

Additional Information

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Munson lab focuses on understanding how eukaryotes use vesicle trafficking and membrane fusion to move protein and lipid cargo between their organelles and to the plasma membrane for secretion, growth and intercellular communication. The lab has its own unique niche in the trafficking community—we successfully combine biochemistry, single particle negative stain and cryoEM, biophysics, genetics and cell biology. Our multidisciplinary and collaborative approach has yielded critical insights into the molecular basis for the spatial and temporal regulation of vesicular trafficking and membrane fusion in cells and in models for human diseases. Specifically, we study how the SNARE membrane fusion proteins are regulated by the exocyst complex and the Sec1/Munc18 (SM) family proteins, Sec1 and VPS45. For more information, see https://www.umassmed.edu/munsonlab/.

We have an NIH-funded opening for a postdoctoral associate that will lead several structural projects, using cryoEM and complementary approaches, investigating the function of the exocyst complex in exocytosis and how exocyst is specifically regulated through several activation steps. The postdoc is expected to design, carry out, and analyze the experiments, and communicate the findings (written and oral presentations) for these experiments, as well as train and mentor junior scientists working on related projects in the laboratory.

We are part of a dynamic structural biology and biochemistry community at UMass Chan Medical School with outstanding resources, core facilities, colleagues, training, and mentoring (see https://www.umassmed.edu/bmb/research/core-facilities/). As a multidisciplinary lab, we use a variety of complementary approaches including biochemistry, cell biology, microscopy, and genetic studies in yeast and mammalian cells to study these processes. The lab is highly collaborative and supportive, and strongly values colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This is a fantastic opportunity for an accomplished structural biologist to acquire additional skills that complement their previous training, while determining and publishing impactful new structures.

Applicants are expected to be able to design and conduct experiments independently, with training and mentoring available from Dr. Munson and others in the lab. Strong writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills are required. We offer excellent training opportunities and a competitive salary depending on experience and track record.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or related field. Research expertise in the determination of cryoEM structures is strongly preferred.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Structural Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry

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