Postdoctoral Fellow in Structural Biology - Laboratory of Liman Zhang

Van Andel Institute

9d • $70,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators. Van Andel Institute’s (VAI) Associate Professor Liman Zhang, Ph.D. is hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the lab and conduct an independent project studying the molecular mechanisms of immune responses. Why choose the Zhang Laboratory? The lab is applying cutting-edge structural biology techniques to study the complex control of the innate immune system, which will eventually benefit the treatment of a wide-range of immunological related diseases including infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The lab has set up numerous experimental platforms, including bacterial, insect cell, and mammalian protein expression systems; structural biology and cryoEM workflow; immunology and cell biology techniques; genetics, bioinformatics and beyond. Dr. Zhang’s long-term interest in the inflammasome pathway set a strong foundation for the lab’s mission. Her groundbreaking research have been highlighted by multiple high impact journals (https://limanzhanglab.org/). She has earned multiple awards for her research and mentorship, including the prestigious K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health; the 2023 Outstanding Research Faculty Award from the Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry Department at Oregon Health & Science University; New Investigator Award from Medical Research Foundation; and the Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral Training Fellowship Award from Cancer Research Institute when she was a postdoc with Dr. Hao Wu at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Zhang is an experienced investigator and mentor who is dedicated to the education and training of scientists to prepare them to become leaders in the biomedical science community. Trainees in the lab have been highly successful in obtaining fellowships and faculty jobs, and the environment is ideal for those seeking training in scientific and grant writing skills development. The Zhang Lab operates within the VAI Department of Structural Biology, which includes a world-class group of highly collaborative scientists harnessing cryo-electron microscopy and other state-of-the-art techniques to visualize molecules that may serve as treatment targets for cancer, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and more. Postdoctoral fellows at VAI are key contributors to the Institute’s mission to improve health and enhance the lives of current and future generations.

Requirements

• A recent Ph.D. graduate with a strong background in structural biology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, or a related field
• Evidence of research productivity and the desire to take responsibility for the independent management of a project
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Nice To Haves

• a self-motivated and driven scientist who functions well in a team environment.
• a detail-oriented researcher who thinks critically and creatively to solve complex research problems.
• a collaborative, hands-on researcher who proactively shares knowledge and expertise with lab members and collaborators.

Benefits

• Postdoctoral Fellows are full-time employees and receive a competitive annual salary beginning at $70,000.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Employer-sponsored life and AD&D insurance
• Additional voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible-spending accounts for health and child/elder care
• 401-K retirement savings plans with employee/employer contributions
• Paid vacation, holidays, personal days
• Relocation Assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees