Post Doctoral Associate

Overall Summary

One postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Stella Y. Sun's lab (https://sunlab.structbio.pitt.edu/) at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. We are seeking an enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow to study the cilia or flagella structures evolutionarily conserved across protists to mammals and their protein trafficking process. Their biomedical significance underlies their important roles in ciliopathies, causing numerous human diseases, and leading to various model organisms to study its assembly process. Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), a single-celled parasite that causes African sleeping sickness, has been an emerging model organism to study flagella biogenesis. As a model system, molecular and genetic manipulation such as inducible expression and RNAi allows rapid characterization of protein functions in T. brucei. My lab is dedicated to the protein function, protein-protein interaction, and structural determination of cellular machinery in single-celled parasites by using molecular and cell biology and cutting-edge cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) with allied techniques such as cryo-FIB-SEM. With advanced imaging techniques, we can visualize the organization of cellular structures and their coordination in 3D spatial organization through a multi-scale imaging platform ranging from microns to sub-nanometers, to elucidate the molecular and structure functions that drive cell motility. Our laboratory is fully equipped for all aspects of molecular and cellular biology and has direct access to Titan Krios 3Gi, focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FIB-SEM) Aquilos2 (https://www.structbio.pitt.edu/index.php/facilities/cryoem), and other instrumentation in core facilities (http://www.researchimaging.pitt.edu/content/center-biologic-imaging).

Duties or Responsibilities

• Ability to design and perform experiments

• Ability to analyze and interpret experimental results

• Ability to use a collaborative approach to formulate alternative and creative solutions to problems

• Present research projects to internal and external meetings or workshops

• Engage in writing of publications and reports

• Assist with graduate student training

• Good communication with group leaders and members

Expectations or Standards

• Ph.D. or equivalent in molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, or structural biology. This position is subject to the University's background check policy.

• Interested applicants should apply via the Talent Center.

Opportunities Available

• Attendance of workshops, symposiums, and conferences will be supported

• Postdoctoral independent funding applications will be encouraged

• Postdoctoral Career Development and Progress Assessment Process (https://www.oacd.health.pitt.edu/postdocs/postdoctoral-career-development-progress-assessment-process )

• Pittsburgh has great central locations, scenic views, and award-winning restaurants, offering a variety of events and things to do (https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/)

The university encourages applications from under-represented groups.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.