Postdoctoral Research Associate in Virology or Biophysics/Biochemistry

A new virology-biophysics lab at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT) is now seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate in either virology or biophysics/biochemistry to join the team. The principal investigator has a strong research record in single-molecule imaging of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 surface spikes (Lu et al., 2019, Nature, 568: 415-419; Lu et al., 2020, Cell Host & Microbe, 28: 880-891. e8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/maolin.lu.1/bibliography/public/). The research spectrum of the lab falls into the dynamics-structure-function paradigm of crucial proteins on enveloped viruses, focusing on how viruses modulate their surface spike proteins to evade antibody recognition while mediating the entry of viruses into susceptible cells for infection. Knowledge on this matter is at the core of designing vaccines and antiviral therapies that prevent virus-to-cell virus infection and cell-to-cell virus transmission. The lab is working on HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and has interests in other viruses as well. Postdoctoral fellows are expected to be semi-independent in constructing research projects under the supervision of the PI.

UTHSCT provides full-time postdoctoral fellows very competitive fringe benefits, such as the Teachers Retirement System Plan (TRS) and health insurance coverages across UT Health in-network systems. In addition, the PI offers long-term research support for team members and supports their career developments. The lab does not have a lab website yet, but will soon have one. Postdoctoral fellows are expected to be semi-independent in constructing research projects under the supervision of the PI.

Successful candidates should have two or more areas of experience as below:

• Molecular biology skills: molecular cloning, western blots, ELISA, qPCR, etc.
• Lentiviruses, coronaviruses, or other infectious diseases (strongly encouraged to apply)
• Single-molecule FRET or single-molecule biophysics (strongly encouraged to apply)
• Biophysics/Biochemistry/Structural biology skills: protein expression, protein purification, SPR, programing experiences (desirable, but not required), etc.
• Hands-on experience in biomedical imaging, such as confocal, TIRF, time-resolved fluorescence, TCSPC, etc.

Responsibilities

• To lead specific projects, perform experiments, analyze data, and interpret results
• To present results at scientific conferences, prepare manuscripts, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• To communicate well with other lab members and collaborators.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in one of the life sciences or optics/imaging-related fields
• Comfortable to work collaboratively and interdisciplinary.

To Apply:

Please email a cover letter explaining relevant work experience, a CV, and the names and contact information for three references to maolin.lu@uthct.edu. A short list of candidates will be directly contacted by the PI.

Maolin Lu, PhD

Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Biology

The University of Health Science Center at Tyler

11937 U.S. Hwy 271, Tyler, TX 75708

Telephone: (903) 877-8738

Email: maolin.lu@uthct.edu

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the University will, in accordance with State and Federal law and regulations, provide equal opportunity in all employment related activities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual preference, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam Era.  The University requires pre-employment drug and tobacco screening and criminal background check on all hires.  Specific job requirements or physical location of some positions allocated to this classification, may render this position security sensitive, and thereby subject to the provisions of Section 51.215, Texas Education Code.