The position

 

A NIH-funded postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Center for Membrane Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston (https://med.uth.edu/bmb/research-centers/center-for-membrane-biology/). In collaboration with the group of Dr. John Spudich, the fellow will work in the lab of Dr. Lei Zheng to study the structure of channelrhodopsin proteins using X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM approaches. Channelrhodopsin proteins have become extremely powerful tools in optogenetic studies. The candidate will have an opportunity to work with new channelrhodopsin proteins recently identified in Dr. Spudich’s lab to study the molecular mechanisms of their novel ion conductivity and light-induced channel gating. See below link for project info: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26113638 . The lab is located in the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical campus in the world, with great resources and environment for biomedical research. Houston is the 4^th populous city in the United States and is highly international and dynamic.  

 

The candidate

 

Qualified candidates should have a recent Ph.D. degree and a solid and documented background in structural biology, biochemistry and/or biophysics. Experience with membrane protein is a big advantage.  A successful candidate is expected to be highly skilled and self-motivated and is willing to work in a collaborative environment. 

 

Interested candidates should send a CV, one page research experience summary and contact information for three references to [log in to unmask] Salary will compensate based on NIH standard and candidate’s experience. Starting date is negotiable. 

 

 

 

 

Lei Zheng, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Center for Membrane Biology

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

University of Texas McGovern Medical School

6431 Fannin Street, MSB 6.218 (office), 6.408 (lab)

Tel: 713-500-6083 (office), -7451 (lab)