Postdoctoral Scholar- McNulty Laboratory

UC Irvine; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine's McNulty Laboratory seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to join an NIH‑funded program studying NLRP3 inflammasome complexes using structural, biochemical, and cellular approaches.

The candidate will design experiments, collect and interpret data, and help disseminate findings at conferences and in manuscripts, with opportunities to mentor junior lab members and develop future directions for the project.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, immunology, cell biology, chemical biology, biophysics, or related field.
• Strong record of research productivity with at least one first-author or co-first-author publication, preprint, or manuscript in preparation.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification, quantitative biochemical/biophysical assays, mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, and genome editing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage an independent research project, troubleshoot experiments, learn quickly, and work productively in a diverse, collaborative team.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to project development, experimental design, data collection, interpretation and dissemination.
• Investigate molecular regulation of inflammasome through protein and nucleic acid biochemistry, binding assays, genome-edited cell models, and structural analysis.
• Present and share findings within the lab and at conferences; contribute to manuscript preparation and collaborations; mentor junior members.

Skills

Strong communication

Independent researcher

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent

Tools

Recombinant protein expression & purification

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing

Cryo-EM sample prep

X-ray crystallography

Biophysical binding assays (SPR/MST/BLI)

Job description

Position Overview

Salary range: The salary range for this position is $69,073 - $82,836. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level. See Postdoctoral Scholar Scale for the salary range. “Off‑scale salaries”, i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system‑wide salary at the designated experience, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Application Window

Open date: August 19, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Sep 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Monday, Nov 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position Description

The McNulty Laboratory within the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of California, Irvine, is seeking applications for a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to join an NIH-funded research program in structural immunology and innate immune signaling. The program investigates the molecular recognition, assembly, and regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome complexes using structural, biochemical, and cellular approaches.

The candidate will contribute to project development, experimental design, data collection, interpretation, and dissemination. The candidate will investigate the molecular basis of inflammasome regulation through integrated protein and nucleic acid biochemistry, quantitative binding and activity assays, genome‑edited cell models, and structural analysis of immune signaling complexes. The candidate will also help develop future directions arising from this NIH‑funded research program.

This position is ideal for a scientist interested in combining protein biochemistry, structural biology, nucleic acid biochemistry, genome editing, and innate immune signaling to understand the molecular regulation of inflammatory pathways.

While the candidate will be expected to work independently, they will interact closely with the Principal Investigator, laboratory team members, and external collaborators. The candidate will present and share findings within the laboratory and at local, national, and international conferences, contribute to manuscript preparation, participate in collaborative projects, and may help mentor junior laboratory members.

Research Areas

• Molecular mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulation.
• Protein–nucleic acid interactions and enzymatic mechanisms that regulate innate immune signaling.
• Structure‑guided mutagenesis and functional characterization of proteins involved in innate immune signaling.
• Biochemical, biophysical, and cell‑based assays to characterize molecular interactions, inflammasome assembly, and downstream signaling.
• Genome editing and cellular models to evaluate the functional consequences of mechanistic findings.
• Cryo‑EM and complementary structural approaches to investigate innate immune proteins and signaling complexes.

UCI provides excellent support for postdoctoral scholars, including leadership and teaching development, career development, and full benefits. Several childcare services are available on campus.

UCI is located within driving distance of Los Angeles and San Diego and approximately five miles from the beach. Additional information for postdoctoral scholars is available at Information for Postdocs – UC Irvine Graduate Division .

Laboratory Environment

The McNulty Lab is a structural immunology laboratory that uses protein biochemistry, cryo‑electron microscopy, X‑ray crystallography, nucleic acid biochemistry, and cell signaling assays to define how innate immune complexes assemble and function. The lab is equipped for molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, protein purification, cryo‑EM sample preparation, and biochemical assays, and has access to outstanding departmental and university resources, including cryo‑EM instrumentation, mass spectrometry, high‑performance computing, and collaborative immunology expertise through UC Irvine and established collaborators.

Qualifications (required At Time Of Start)

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, immunology, cell biology, chemical biology, biophysics, or a related field. Ph.D. candidates nearing graduation are encouraged to apply.
• Strong record of research productivity, including at least one first‑author or co‑first‑author publication, preprint, or manuscript in preparation.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification, quantitative biochemical or biophysical assays, mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, and genome editing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage an independent research project, troubleshoot experiments, learn quickly, and work productively as part of a diverse, collaborative team.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and troubleshooting quantitative biochemical and biophysical assays for protein–nucleic acid interactions, enzymatic activity, and ligand binding.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, mammalian macrophage models, and functional characterization of protein variants using cell‑based immune‑signaling assays.
• Experience with cryo‑EM sample preparation and image processing, macromolecular complex reconstitution, and complementary structural or computational approaches such as X‑ray crystallography, structural modeling, or molecular dynamics.
• Experience with biophysical binding assays such as SPR, MST, or BLI.

Lab

https://www.mcnultylab.com/

Basic qualifications

Accepting all applicants.

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)

Reference Requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti‑discrimination policy .

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

APM - 035: Affimative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment .

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Irvine, CA