Post Doctoral Associate

Post Doctoral Associate

One postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Stella Y. Sun's lab (https://sunlab.structbio.pitt.edu/) in the Department of Structural Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. We are seeking an enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow to visualize and study the cellular processes in human parasites that lead to infectious diseases (including but not limited to Trypanosoma brucei and malaria parasites) by using molecular and cell biology and the cutting-edge cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) with allied techniques such as cryo-FIB-SEM. The lab is dedicated to the protein characterization and structural determination of cellular machinery in single-celled parasites by combining cellular and molecular biology and electron cryogenic tomography. I am particularly interested in understanding the flagellum and nucleus biogenesis and their regulations in the invasion process of the malaria parasites (or related apicomplexan parasites) and the cell division and migration of Trypanosoma brucei that causes African sleeping sickness in humans and Nagano in cattle. Our research is to visualize the organization of cellular structures and their coordination in the 3D spatial organization through a multi-scale imaging platform ranging from microns to sub-nanometers, to elucidate the molecular and structural functions that drive cell migration or invasion. 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).

The position will involve 1) important biological processes, including but not limited to organelle biogenesis, such as microtubule assembly, nuclear divisions, and flagellar biogenesis through cryo-ET, 2) imaging method development of cryo-ET, cryo-FIB-SEM, and correlative light microscopy for their applications. We are particularly interested in new members with good experience in cell biology who are looking to develop expertise in cryo-ET, or structural biologists who are looking to develop expertise in cryo-ET, cryo-FIB-SEM.

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
• Effective communication with group leaders and members

Expectations or Standards

• Ph.D. or equivalent in biochemistry, microbiology, structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related fields. This position is subject to the University's background check policy.

Opportunities Available

• Attendance at 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/)