Postdoctoral Associate, Physiology and Biophysics

Postdoctoral Associate, Physiology and Biophysics Position Information

Position Title:

Postdoctoral Associate, Physiology and Biophysics

Department:
Physiology and Biophysics

Job Type: Full-Time

Postdoctoral Position Available Immediately Qin Laboratory for Dynamic Structural Biophysics Department of Physiology and Biophysics Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University at Buffalo

Observe Biology in Motion

Biology happens in motion. Yet most structural and biophysicalmethods capture only static snapshots. Our laboratory seeks to understand dynamic molecular mechanisms underlying proteinfunction. We integrate structural biology, electrophysiology, quantitative biophysics, and computational approaches to visualizetransient molecular events and uncover the physical principles that govern protein function.

Our philosophy is simple:
When existing tools cannot answer important biological questions, we build new ones. This has led to innovations ranging from the QuB software suite for single-channel kinetic analysis, to submillisecond temperature-clamp electrophysiology, differential scanning calorimetry for thermal activation, and now time-resolved cryo-EM. Together, theseapproaches are establishing a new framework for dynamic structuralbiophysics.

Our current biological focus is thermoTRP ion channels – molecularsensors of temperature and pain. Beyond thesefascinating proteins, our long-term goal is to develop broadlyapplicable approaches for studying protein dynamics across diversebiological systems.

• Decoding the mechanisms of temperature sensing by ion channels
• Developing and applying time-resolved cryo-EM to capture previously inaccessible conformational states
• Engineering ultrafast perturbation methods that trigger and trap dynamic protein motions in real time.
• Integrating structural, electrophysiological, thermodynamic, and computational approaches into quantitative models of protein dynamics

Faculty profile and publications here.

This position offers the opportunity to participate in an innovative, interdisciplinary research program at the interface of structural biology, electrophysiology, instrumentation, and quantitative biophysics. Working closely with Professor Qin and collaborators, the successful candidate will contribute to exciting biological discoveries while building abroad foundation in modern structural and biophysical research.

The laboratory emphasizes close mentoring, creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development, providing an environment in which trainees progress from guided research to increasing scientific independence while developing their own scientific ideas, learning new techniques, and producing high-quality publications.

We do not expect applicants to have expertise in every aspect of our research. Laboratory members come from diverse backgrounds, including electrophysiology, structural biology, protein biochemistry, computation, physics, and engineering. We build on each individual's strengths while providing opportunities to broaden their expertise, learn new methodologies, and collaborate across disciplines in a supportive environment.

Professor Qin has over 30 years of mentoring experience and is committed to helping trainees develop into independent scientists through personalized mentoring, scientific freedom, interdisciplinary collaboration, and opportunities to lead innovative research, publish impactful work, and prepare for independent research careers.

Applicants should have, or be close to completing, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Physiology, Biomedical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.

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