Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

Davita Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research facility at the University of Southern California is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to study modular polyketide biosynthesis. The role involves the utilization of cutting-edge cryo-EM technology to explore enzymatic processes and natural product biochemistry.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• Preference for candidates with experience in protein purification, structural biology, or molecular biology.

Responsibilities

• Investigate mechanisms of polyketide and peptide biosynthesis.
• Utilize cryo-EM and related techniques for research.

Skills

Protein purification

Structural biology

Molecular biology

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry

Job description

Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate
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Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Los Angeles, California

The Cogan Laboratory at the University of Southern California (USC) Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the mechanisms of modular polyketide and nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis. The selected individual
will use biochemical and biophysical techniques, including single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), to understand the
relationships between megasynthase structure and catalysis. The work entails additional opportunities to explore (1) the enzymology of as-yet
undiscovered natural products and (2) mechanisms of bacterial signal transduction by sensor histidine kinases.

Available Instrumentation: USC maintains >90 research core facilities, including a recently established state-of-the-art Cryo-EM Facility at the
Core Center of Excellence in Nano Imaging (CNI). Cryo-EM resources include:

1. Thermo Scientific Titan Krios G3i equipped with a GIF Quantum energy filter and K3 detector
2. Thermo Scientific Glacios equipped with a Falcon 4 detector
3. Thermo Scientific Vitrobot in a humidity-controlled room
4. Essential tools for cryo-TEM grid preparation and storage

High-performance computing resources for cryo-EM data handling/processing (e.g., Relion and cryoSPARC) are provided by USC's Center
for Advanced Research Computing.

Qualifications: Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Chemical Biology, Medicinal
Chemistry, or a related field. All qualified candidates will be considered, although preference will be given to those with experience in protein
purification, structural biology, and/or molecular biology.

Interested candidates should send their CV and a list of three references to Dillon Cogan at [e-mail].
The annual salary for this position is $68,640. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers
factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key
skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational
considerations.

Qualifications: Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Chemical Biology, Medicinal
Chemistry, or a related field. All qualified candidates will be considered, although preference will be given to those with experience in protein
purification, structural biology, and/or molecular biology.

REQ20163273 Posted Date: 06/02/2025
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