Postdoctoral Associate in Structural Biology and Biophysics

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription & dental

Paid vacation & holidays

Retirement benefits

Education benefits

Life insurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rutgers University’s Deaconescu Lab is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in Structural Biology and Biophysics to advance research on microbial stress responses and DNA damage mechanisms. The role involves crystallography and cryo-EM, with access to leading facilities and a strong publication track record expected.

Applicants should hold a PhD in related fields, have experience in protein biochemistry, and demonstrate excellent English communication.

Qualifications

• PhD in structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics or related field is required.
• Established track record of publications in peer‑reviewed journals is expected.
• Excellent spoken and written English are required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structural biology and biophysics research using biochemical and biophysical techniques.
• Collaborate with lab members to design and execute experiments and data analysis.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts and grant proposals and contribute to project planning.

Skills

Structural biology

Biophysics

Biochemistry

Molecular biology

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Crystallography

Cryo-EM

SAXS

NMR

Mass spectrometry

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate in Structural Biology and Biophysics

The Deaconescu Lab at Rutgers University has one opening for a postdoctoral researcher. The laboratory’s interests lie primarily in microbial stress responses, with particular emphasis on responses to DNA damage, the mechanochemistry of DNA-based motors. We utilize a combination of biochemical, biophysical and structural techniques. (e.g. X-ray crystallography, small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy). For examples of work, please see Brugger et al. JBC (2023, 2024), Brugger et al. Nature Communications (2020), Dorich et al. Genes Development (2019), Vemu et al. Science (2018), Le TT et al. Cell (2018) etc. More information about the lab can be obtained at https://deaconesculab.com

Salary Details 63968

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university’s broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status Full Time

Posting Number 25FA0742

Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Busch (RU-New Brunswick) City Piscataway State NJ Location Details

A successful postdoctoral candidate should hold a PhD in structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics or related field and have an established track‑record of publications in peer‑reviewed journals, solid experience with protein biochemistry. Prior knowledge of crystallography and/or single‑particle electron microscopy is highly desirable. Must be highly motivated and work independently as well as in a team. Excellent spoken and written English are required. New Ph.D. graduates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Proficiency in molecular biology, protein expression and protein purification, characterization of protein and protein‑nucleic acids complexes using various biophysical methods (for example: EMSA , ITC , AUC , FLUORESCENCE ANISOTROPY , BLI , MST , CD etc.). Experience with assay development and molecular microbiology a plus. Research experience in crystallography and cryo‑electron microscopy (cryo‑EM) is desirable, however not required. The selected candidate will obtain appropriate training in crystallization and crystallographic computing, microscope alignments, data acquisition, image processing and structure calculation using a variety of cryo‑EM software. The candidate should be comfortable using Linux. Strong written and oral communication skills in English, as well as the ability to prepare scientific manuscriptsand grant proposals, work independently and collaborate with other scientists are required.

Standard laboratory equipment including Biorad NGC pure purification systems, Mosquito crystallization robot, centrifuges, PCR cyclers, GelDoc and cell culture incubators. Kulczyk group has several Mac workstations suitable for scientific computing and general manuscript preparation. The Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine houses the state‑of‑the‑art cryo‑EM facility: Thermo Fisher Scientific Talos Arctica cryo‑EM equipped with a Summit K2 direct electron detector, BioQuantum energy filter and a Volta phase plate; Aquilos 2 cryo‑FIB/SEM; Leica DM6 FS/EM cryo‑CLEM system; NMR facility (Bruker 800 MHz and 700 MHz with cryoprobes and two 600 MHz spectrometers); mass spectrometry and super‑resolution imaging facilities, and is the world headquarters of the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics ( RCSB ) consortium and the Protein Data Bank ( PDB ).

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre‑employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non‑Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non‑discrimination‑statement

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Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

• Transcript (Unofficial)
• List of Professional References (contact Info)