Postdoctoral Associate Position in Cell Polarity

Institution: Boston College

Principal Investigator: Dr. Maitreyi Das

Research Areas: Cell Polarity | Cytokinesis | Cell Cycle | Yeast Genetics | Cell Biology | Biophysics | Quantitative Microscopy | Protein Dynamics

The Das Lab at Boston College is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Associate to investigate the fundamental mechanisms underlying cell polarity and cytokinesis using the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism.

The research focuses on understanding how cell-cycle-dependent mechanisms regulate cell polarity and how cells respond to different cell-cycle stages and environmental conditions to establish and maintain their patterns of growth.

The project will investigate the fundamental mechanisms that control cell polarity and growth during the cell cycle
.

Research will focus on understanding:

• Cell-cycle-dependent regulation of cell polarity
• How cells respond to different cell-cycle stages
• Cellular responses to environmental conditions
• Molecular mechanisms underlying cell polarity
• Regulation of cytokinesis
• Protein dynamics and spatial organization within cells

The research will use Schizosaccharomyces pombe as an experimental model to study these fundamental cellular processes.

The project combines experimental and quantitative approaches, including:

• Live-cell imaging
• Quantitative microscopy
• Mathematical modeling
• Cell biology
• Membrane and protein biophysics

These approaches will be integrated to understand how cellular systems establish spatial organization and respond dynamically to cell-cycle progression.

The research environment provides access to advanced microscopy and core facilities, including:

• Deconvolution microscopy
• TIRF microscopy
• Leica spinning-disk confocal microscopy
• SIM super-resolution microscopy
• SoRa super-resolution microscopy

• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
• Bioinformatics server
• Nanofabrication facilities
• Mass spectrometry
• Flow cytometry
• NMR
• X-ray crystallography

These resources provide opportunities to combine quantitative imaging, molecular biology, biophysics, and computational approaches
.

Applicants must have:

• A PhD in Bioscience or a related field
  .
• Strong interest in cell biology and quantitative research.
• Ability to develop and execute independent research projects.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.
• Strong scientific communication skills.

Candidates with experience in protein and/or membrane biochemistry and biophysics are especially encouraged to apply.

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be beneficial:

• Membrane biochemistry
• Biophysics
• Live-cell microscopy
• Yeast cell biology
• Quantitative microscopy
• Cytokinesis
• Mathematical modeling

Familiarity with live-cell microscopy or yeast biology is helpful but not essential.

The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to research activities including:

• Developing research projects and experimental strategies.
• Planning and designing experiments.
• Performing experiments and analyzing research data.
• Presenting research findings at meetings and seminars.
• Publishing research findings in scientific journals.
• Contributing to collaborative research activities.
• Potentially training staff, graduate assistants, or student employees.

The researcher will have opportunities to develop independent scientific projects while contributing to the broader research goals of the Das Lab.

• Research experience in cell polarity and cytokinesis
  .
• Advanced training in cell-cycle biology.
• Experience using Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism.
• Hands-on experience with advanced microscopy.
• Exposure to quantitative imaging and mathematical modeling.
• Experience with protein and membrane biophysics.
• Access to advanced core research facilities.
• Opportunities to present and publish scientific research.
• Experience working in an interdisciplinary research environment.

The position is based in the Das Lab at Boston College
, located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
.

The research environment combines cell biology, genetics, biophysics, microscopy, protein dynamics, and quantitative approaches to investigate fundamental mechanisms of cellular organization.

The laboratory provides access to extensive imaging and research infrastructure, including advanced super-resolution microscopy and specialized core facilities.