Postdoctoral Researcher, Function & Structure of RNA-Modifying Enzymes

Postdoctoral Researcher, Function & Structure of RNA-Modifying Enzymes
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
The University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

The Mugridge lab (mugridgelab.org) in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Delaware is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join our team. Our lab is focused on a mechanistic, structure-level understanding of how cellular RNA-modifying enzymes control diverse chemical modifications on mRNA and tRNA to affect RNA structure, processing, translation, and stability, and impact human disease. We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated postdoc to lead a project studying the biochemistry and structural biology of mRNA-modifying enzymes; this project is fully NIH-funded with the flexibility to explore different scientific directions and ideas.

Preferred Candidates
We welcome applications from scientists of all backgrounds who are excited about understanding how protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions regulate RNA modification and function. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, or a related field, and have experience with protein expression and purification from bacterial and eukaryotic expression systems, in vitro and/or cell-based biochemical assays, and macromolecular structural and/or biophysical techniques. Applicants with experience studying protein-nucleic acid interactions are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will also have a strong scientific record, excellent communication skills, ability to work independently and as part of team, and willingness to help mentor junior scientists.

 Our Lab
The Mugridge lab combines techniques from biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, and chemical biology to determine the structural and molecular mechanisms that regulate the dynamic chemical modification landscape of RNA, or the ‘epitranscriptome’. Our lab houses brand new instrumentation for macromolecular protein function and structure work including an AKTA Pure 25M FPLC, Agilent 1260 Infinity II bio-inert UHPLC with iQMS mass spectrometer, Zeiss V20 stereomicroscope and other equipment for protein crystallography, and new infrastructure to support diverse biochemical and molecular biology techniques. We are part of a multidisciplinary NIH COBRE center at UD and have ready access to state-of-the-art core facilities including proteomics/mass spectrometry, protein crystallography, NMR, cell imaging and microscopy, and DNA/RNA sequencing cores. The University of Delaware is an R1 research University located in the heart of the mid-Atlantic region, nearby to Philadelphia, Baltimore, coastal beaches, and within easy driving distance of NYC and Washington DC.

 Apply or ask!
To apply, please submit a one-page cover letter, a CV including publication record, brief descriptions of previous research accomplishments and techniques, and the names and contact information for three references at https://careers.udel.edu/en-us/listing/.  Search for Job ID 494847. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. If interested, feel free to email Jeff (mugridge@udel.edu) with any questions.
 
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