Postdoctoral Associate in cryogenic electron-microscopy (CryoEM)

Postdoctoral Associate positions are immediately available for several projects including structure-function studies of cytoskeletal proteins that control signaling downstream of adherens junctions and focal adhesions with implications in cancer and heart diseases. Fellows will join an exciting research environment in new state-of-the-art facilities. The laboratory is recognized as a world leader in the cytoskeleton field and recently purchased and installed a 300 kV cryogenic electron microscope.

The position provides an outstanding training in protein biochemistry and structure, and also in molecular and cellular biology, in a highly dynamic and team-oriented research program. Successful candidates will work in a cutting-edge research environment that tackles this important new arena in structural and cell biology. The laboratory has outstanding facilities for cell biology, molecular biology, protein expression, purification, and biochemistry, and cryogenic electron microscopy, and protein crystallography.

The laboratory collaborates with several other laboratories on campus including exciting collaborative and currently active projects with Drs Pat Griffin, Mike Farzan, Kirill Martenmyanov, Kendall Nettles, Mark Sundrud, and Susana Valente. Thus, there are several exciting opportunities for a variety of very interesting projects.

The laboratory has access to a large cast of outstanding Cores that facilitate basic research and drug development. The unique infrastructure includes the application of unique chemical, genomic, proteomic, informatics, and high-throughput screening and engineering tools for the discovery of novel biomolecules.

Dr. Izard is a board member of the South East Regional Collaborative Access Team (SER-CAT) that constructed two beam lines at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory. The insertion device and bending magnet beam lines are available for all the synchrotron-related data collection needs for the post-doctoral fellows.

Dr. Izard recently installed the first 300 kV cryo Atomic Resolution Microscope (cryoARM300) in the Americas and has plenty of microscope time dedicated to the fellow. This state-of-the-art transmission electron microscope is a 300 kV high resolution microscope capable of carrying out cryogenic-electron microscopy studies by providing atomic resolution for structural studies involving single particle analyses. The transmission electron microscope is equipped with new and improved Gatan K3 direct electron detector camera that has better DQE, larger field of view (24 Megapixels – 5,760 x 4,092) and faster (3.75 times that of K2 camera). The direct detection devices are exquisitely sensitive, produce high signal to noise images, and are ideal for high-resolution studies.

 Dr. Izard designed and installed a HighFlux X-ray diffraction system, specifically a Rigaku MicroMax-007 HF, a second-generation true microfocus rotating anode generator. Scripps also provides an Osmic VariMax optics system and the Proteros Free Mounting System to control the humidity and to optimize diffraction characteristics, including resolution, mosaicity, and anisotropy, as well as reduced X-ray background. Finally, the X-ray laboratory houses the mar345 Image Plate detector. 

Please send CV, brief summary of research experience and interests, and names, addresses, e-mail, and telephone numbers of 3 references to:

Dr. T. Izard
Professor
Cell Adhesion Laboratory
Candice.losey@ufl.edu