Research Postdoctoral Fellow - Structural Immunology and Protein Engineering Sgourakis Lab

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

1d • $20,800 - $110,400 • Onsite

About The Position

The Sgourakis Lab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our NIH funded research program studying the structural basis by which MHC-I and the MHC-I related protein MR1 recognize small molecules and peptides, and how these receptors interact with molecular chaperones and T cell receptors. Our lab uses an integrative structural biology approach, combining solution NMR spectroscopy, protein engineering, biophysics, and computational modeling, to understand how immune receptors recognize diverse ligands and report on cellular states. Recent work from the lab includes the development of miniaturized protein platforms that recapitulate native receptor behavior, together with mechanistic studies of chaperone mediated ligand exchange.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Immunology, or a related field
• Hands on experience with recombinant protein expression and purification, and with biophysical assays
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with attention to experimental rigor and reproducibility
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities, and to maintain detailed and accurate records
• Ability to work safely with biological and chemical reagents in accordance with institutional laboratory safety protocols

Nice To Haves

• Experience with solution NMR, including sample preparation and data analysis
• Familiarity with isotope labeling strategies and measurements of protein dynamics
• Experience with structural modeling or computational approaches to protein structure
• Strong record of scientific writing and communication, evidenced by peer reviewed publications
• Ability to wear a respirator device

Responsibilities

• Recombinant protein expression, in vitro refolding, and biophysical characterization (DSF, SEC, ITC, SPR, fluorescence polarization) of MHC-I and MR1 constructs
• Solution NMR sample preparation, isotopic labeling, and data acquisition, including backbone and methyl NMR experiments
• Collaborative structural and mechanistic studies of chaperone mediated ligand exchange
• Manuscript preparation and contribution to grant funded research objectives
• Conduct independent scholarly research and develop new methods and protocols
• Participate in project planning, data recording, and interpretation and evaluation of results
• Develop technical, lab management, and grant writing skills
• Present at seminars, lectures, poster sessions, and national meetings
• Mentor and supervise junior lab members
• Contribute to other research projects in the lab

Benefits

• Annual influenza vaccine

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree