Post Doctoral.Post Doctoral.Associate

The Sun Lab in the Department of Structural Biology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (https://sunlab.structbio.pitt.edu/) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to join a collaborative research program in cellular in situ structural biology. This position will be recruited in close collaboration with Dr. Rui Zhang’s laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis (https://zhangrui.wustl.edu/), providing an exciting opportunity to integrate advanced cellular imaging, high-resolution structural biology, and computational image analysis.

Our research program uses cryo-electron tomography, cryo-focused ion beam milling, single-particle cryo-EM, fluorescence microscopy, molecular and cellular biology and computational structural analysis to investigate the organization and function of macromolecular assemblies in their native cellular environment. Current projects focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate ciliary and flagellar biogenesis, protein trafficking, and organelle organization using the single-celled eukaryotic parasite Trypanosoma brucei as a model system, with plans to expand the studies to other eukaryotic ciliated organisms.

Cilia and flagella are essential organelles involved in cell signaling, motility, development, and host–pathogen interactions. Defects in ciliary assembly and trafficking are associated with diverse human diseases, including ciliopathies, retinal degeneration, developmental disorders, and infertility. By defining how conserved molecular machines function within cells, our work aims to reveal fundamental principles of organelle biogenesis and provide insight into disease-relevant cellular mechanisms.

The successful candidate will benefit from a collaborative environment combining expertise from the Sun lab and the Zhang lab. The specific projects can be tailored toward cellular cryo-ET, single particle cryo-EM, or computational analysis, depending on the candidate’s expertise and long-term career goals.

Qualifications

PhD in related field

Preferred qualifications include experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Cryo-electron tomography, cryo-EM, electron microscopy, or cryo-FIB milling.
• Image processing, segmentation, subtomogram averaging, single-particle cryo-EM, or computational structural biology.
• Fluorescence microscopy, quantitative cell biology, molecular genetics, or cell biological approaches.
• Ciliary/flagellar biology, protein trafficking, parasite cell biology, or organelle biogenesis.
• Structural analysis of cytoskeletal, membrane-associated, or large macromolecular assemblies.
• Interest in applying structural and cellular approaches to disease-relevant biological questions.

Prior experience with cryo-ET or cryo-EM image processing is advantageous but not required. Candidates with strong backgrounds in cell biology, structural biology, microscopy, biophysics, computational analysis, parasitology, or related fields who are interested in developing expertise in in situ structural biology are encouraged to apply.

Research Environment

The University of Pittsburgh provides an outstanding environment for structural and cell biology, with access to advanced cryo-EM/cryo-ET instrumentation, cryo-FIB milling (https://www.structbio.pitt.edu/facilities/cryo-electron-microscopy-cryo-em), light microscopy (https://cbi-pitt.webflow.io/), and a highly collaborative biomedical research community. The position will provide strong training in experimental design, advanced imaging, image processing, quantitative analysis, manuscript preparation, grant writing, and career development.

This collaborative recruitment will provide the successful candidate with opportunities to interact closely with both the Sun Lab and Dr. Rui Zhang’s laboratory, combining complementary expertise in cellular cryo-ET, high-resolution cryo-EM, computational image analysis, and integrative structural biology.

The Sun Lab is committed to rigorous science, mentorship, collaboration, and fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.