Postdoc position to study Polo kinase and centrosome abnormality in cancer
Listed on 2026-02-22
-
Research/Development
Research Scientist -
Healthcare
Job Title
Postdoc position to study Polo kinase and centrosome abnormality in cancer
Job Number116670
LocationBethesda, US
Job DescriptionInvestigating the role of Polo kinases (Plk4 and Plk1) in orchestrating centrosomal organization, cell signaling and proliferation, and tumorigenesis using cell biological, biochemical, structural, and cryo-EM approaches.
Position DescriptionA postdoctoral fellowship is available to study the function of mammalian polo-like kinase 4 and 1 (Plk4 and Plk1), which play central roles in regulating various biological events, including centriole duplication, bipolar spindle formation, chromosome segregation, cell division, and proliferation. Dysregulation of Plk4/Plk1-dependent processes, by mutations in their associated cellular components or HIV accessory proteins, is tightly linked to the development of aneuploidy and cancer.
During the past several years, we have been taking cell biological, biochemical, biophysical, and structural approaches (e.g., super-resolution imaging, single molecule tracking, in vitro reconstitution, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-EM) to delineate the molecular bases and structural rules governing the centrosomal architecture and function, the deregulation of which can lead to the development of many human diseases, including cancers, microcephaly, and AIDS.
For additional information, please visit the Apply button or contact us via email.
Fellows who have an expertise in the field of cell biology, X‑ray crystallography, or cryo‑EM with a keen interest in learning about the organization and function of the centrosome and their relevance to pathophysiological disorders, such as cancer and AIDS, are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a Ph.D. (or be expected to receive a Ph.D.) or M.D. equivalent at the time of joining the lab and have achieved the degree less than 3 years ago.
CompensationStarts at $67,200 for fellows with no prior years of postdoc training (+ annual raise) and complete health insurance.
Application ProcessTo apply, please send a CV and three names of references to Dr. Kyung Lee. Final date to receive applications: .
EmployerNational Cancer Institute, NIH.
Position location:
9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A.
-E, …, and K. S. Lee. 2024. Centrosome amplification and aneuploidy driven by the HIV-1-induced Vpr-VprBP-Plk4 complex in CD4+ T cells. Nat. Commun. 15:2017. PMID:.
-E., K. …, and K. S. Lee. 2023. Specific inhibition of an anticancer target, polo-like kinase 1, by allosterically dismantling its mechanism of substrate recognition. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 120:e (Direct submission).
C. N., …, and K. S. Lee. 2020. Identification of a new heterocyclic scaffold for inhibitors of the polo-box domain of polo-like kinase 1. J Med Chem. 63:. PMID: .
-E., …, and K. S. Lee. 2019. Phase separation of Plk4 by its autoactivation and noncatalytic clustering drives centriole biogenesis. Nat. Commun. 10:4959. PMID: . Featured in “Protein Liquid‑Liquid Phase Separation in Diseases” in Nat Commun (2022).
-S., …, and K. S. Lee. 2019. Molecular architecture of a cylindrical self‑assembly at human centrosomes. Nat. Commun 10:1151. PMID: . Featured article (Editors’ Highlights).
This position is subject to a background investigation. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).