Postdoctoral Fellow in Structural Biology and Enzyme Dynamics, College of Arts and Sciences

Current UC employees must apply internally via Success Factors

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation's best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called "the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more  .

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC's success.

Job Overview

The McLeod Lab () at the University of Cincinnati in the Department of Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to investigate enzyme structure, function, and dynamics using advanced structural biology techniques. Our lab focuses on understanding protein conformational landscapes and enzymatic mechanisms through integrative biophysical approaches.

In particular, a successful applicant will be using cutting-edge approaches unique to the McLeod lab, including multi-temperature (doi: 10.1016/j.str.) & time-resolved crystallography (MMQX; doi: 10.1107/SX) on new enzyme systems. The overall goal is to characterize non-model systems using new methodological approaches, with emphasis on describing the temperature dependence of enzyme activity. This unique and highly marketable training will likely help candidates differentiate themselves from peers.

In addition to gaining experience in multi-temperature and time-resolved crystallography, applicants will have the opportunity to learn and use small-angle X-ray scattering, cryo-electron microscopy, and enzyme kinetics.

The applicant will be responsible for experimental design, structural data collection and analysis, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. X-ray scattering and diffraction experiments will be conducted remotely and/or on-site at national synchrotron facilities (for ex. Advanced Photon Source & Cornell High-Energy Synchrotron Source). Opportunities for

mentoring students, grant & scholarship/fellowship writing, independent project development, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and some classroom teaching will be available.

The University of Cincinnati provides state-of-the-art research facilities, including:

• A dedicated cryo-EM core facility featuring:
  • Thermo Talos L120C (120 kV TEM)
  • Thermo Glacios (200 kV TEM) with Falcon 4i detector
  • Vitrobot Mark IV for plunge freezing
• Centralized high-performance computing
• Custom time-resolved crystallography instrumentation
• CaryUV-VIS 3500 multicell spectrophotometer
• Bio Rad NGC fPLC
• Formulatrix NT8 crystal setting robot
• Other equipment and core facilities include: qPCR, SDS-PAGE, ITC, CD spectrometer, NMR/Mass spectroscopy core facilities

NOTE:
Sponsorship for H-1 B visas is not available at this time.

Essential Functions

• Independently conduct research experiments with rigor
• Interpret data from biophysical and structural experiments
• Familiarize yourself with relevant literature to develop novel ideas for new research directions for both the lab and your future independent career
• Lead the production of manuscripts and presentations for which you will be the first author. Support the production of manuscripts, presentations, and reports for which you will be an author.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in scientific methodology, presentations, & writing.
• Help maintain lab equipment and safety protocols

Required Education

Doctoral Degree in the appropriate field or discipline, or the recognized terminal degree

Required Experience

• In-depth knowledge of specialized field, process or discipline.
• May require experience with specialized software programs.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field
• Extensive experience in protein expression and purification (
  
  E. coli )
• Extensive experience with at least X-ray crystallography or cryo-electron microscopy including sample preparation, data collection, and processing.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently
• Experience preparing manuscripts for peer review

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following to mcleodmw.edu:

A cover letter detailing research interests and relevant experience

A curriculum vitae

Contact information for three references

Review…