Postdoctoral Research Associate –Invasive fungal and bacterial diseases

Researchers in the Biology Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory seek to unravel and fully describe the complexities of biological systems from how plants make oils and other products to the role of proteins in disease. Our work helps to develop and make use of the tools and techniques of biochemistry, molecular genetics, structural biology, cell biology, and bioimaging. We also leverage the unique capabilities of Brookhaven’s National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Laboratory for Biomolecular Structure (LBMS) cryo-EM facility, and Center for Functional Nanomaterials, major research facilities open to scientists from around the world. Our research makes important contributions to fulfilling the missions of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences and Office of Biological and Environmental Research. In addition, together with the Collider-Accelerator Department, the Biology Department manages the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at Brookhaven, which is used by radiobiologists and physicists to study the effects of space radiation on both living and non-living systems to protect future astronauts.

Supported by Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) at Brookhaven National Laboratory, we are seeking outstanding Postdoctoral scientists to lead the effort in addressing emerging invasive fungal and bacterial diseases. The initial focus will be the human fungal pathogen Candida auris which has developed broad antifungal resistance with outbreaks in the U.S., bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae which is a model pathogen infecting a wild range of bioenergy and food crops, and fungal pathogen Colletotrichum sublineola , a causative agent leading to sorghum anthracnose. The selected candidates will work as a team to integrate cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry, structural biology, and bioimaging tools to identify and characterize virulence factors and their interactions with human and plant hosts. They will also collaborate with computation and pathology groups at BNL and nearby Stony Brook University to study drug-resistance mechanisms and develop improved or new drugs. The integrated research will pave the way for early detection, characterization, and mitigation of emerging pathogens, creating a secure society and bioeconomy.

This project will utilize the state-of-the-art BNL facilities NSLS-II on X-ray imaging and X-ray crystallography, CFN (Center for Functional Nanomaterials) and Biology Department on confocal light microscopy and live-cell imaging, LBMS on single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography. NSLS-II is a world-leading synchrotron facility that produces high-flux, and low-emittance X-rays for solving a wide range of biological problems via diffraction, scattering, and imaging capabilities. CFN explores the unique properties of materials and processes at the nanoscale supported by the operation of high-end instruments from material fabrication and characterization to theory and computation. LBMS provides structure and imaging capabilities for studying biological structures and processes from near-atomic to nanometer resolutions. In addition, LBMS has an Aquilos 2 cryogenic focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) for cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) sample preparation and a high-pressure freezer for processing tissues and thick biological samples.  The integrated BNL infrastructure will be an ideal environment for the project.  This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multi-cultural scientific community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare samples for downstream characterization.

• Collect and analyze data.

• Document experimental details and disseminate results through reports and publications.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, chemistry, cell biology, plant biology, pathology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, virology, or a related field

• Proven abilities for dissemination of research through publication in peer-reviewed journals

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in protein production from bacteria, insect, yeast, or mammalian cells

• Experience in gene expression in plant leaves or protoplasts

• Experience in protein crystallography

• Experience in cryo-electron microscopy (single particle or tomography).

• Experience in the use of a cryo-FIB for milling biological samples.

• Experience in characterizing cells and tissues using live-cell imaging, X-ray tomography or X-ray fluorescence imaging.

• Experience in the identification and characterization of protein-protein interactions using fluorescence, affinity purification, and Kd measurements.

• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically.

• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and as a team player.

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $70200 - $90825 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• Review of applications begins immediately. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

• Initial 1-year appointment subject to annual renewal contingent on performance and funding. Please contact Qun Liu ([email protected]) if you have any questions. Candidates should submit a CV, a brief description of their research interests (less than 200 words) in a cover letter and contact information for three references.

• BNL policy requires that after obtaining their Ph.D., eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.

Brookhaven employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file