Post-Doctoral Fellow

University of Colorado • Aurora, CO

1d • $63,480 - $77,076 • Onsite

About The Position

A postdoctoral fellow position is immediately available in the laboratory of Dr. Katherine Fantauzzo in the Department of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences at the University of Colorado Anschutz to study PDGFR dimer-specific dynamics in the mouse craniofacial mesenchyme. The Fantauzzo laboratory developed a novel bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) approach that enabled the visualization and purification of individual PDGFR dimers, revealing differences in the timing and extent of dimer activation, signal molecule binding, internalization, trafficking and downstream signaling. These findings have shifted the paradigm on how biological specificity is achieved to generate unique responses downstream of PDGFR engagement. Available projects will utilize novel PDGFR-BiFC knockin mouse models to 1) determine how PDGF ligand identity and concentration affect receptor dimerization and internalization using flow cytometry and CITE-seq in combination with spatial transcriptomics; and 2) characterize the dimer-specific interacting proteins that mediate differential internalization and trafficking of the various PDGFR dimers in vitro and in vivo. These studies will provide significant insight into broadly applicable mechanisms underlying the temporal and spatial regulation of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling during mammalian craniofacial development. We are seeking highly motivated, creative and interactive applicants with the ability to work independently. Preference will be given to applicants with a strong background in mouse developmental biology and/or cellular signaling who published a first-author paper as a result of their Ph.D. work. The position will include weekly meetings with Dr. Fantauzzo, monthly Fantauzzo laboratory meetings and journal clubs, and participation in joint craniofacial development group meetings and cell biology journal clubs. Career development opportunities are available through the Fantauzzo laboratory and the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. More information can be found on the Fantauzzo laboratory website (http://www.fantauzzolab.org).

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited university with a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in life sciences such as biology, cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology or related field (degree(s) must be conferred prior to starting position, but need not be completed at time of application)
• Self-motivation
• Reading and incorporating findings from relevant scientific literature
• Rigorous design, performance and analysis of experiments
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and organize experimental results
• Ability to communicate science in written and oral formats

Nice To Haves

• Strong background in mouse developmental biology and/or cellular signaling
• Publication of at least one first-author paper as a result of graduate work
• Willingness to work with laboratory mice

Responsibilities

• Read and incorporate findings from relevant scientific literature
• Rigorously design, perform and analyze experiments
• Maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and organize experimental results
• Trouble-shoot technical issues related to the research project(s)
• Collaborate with Principal Investigator and other laboratory members, as well as other laboratories, involved in team science
• Draft funding applications, scientific presentations (poster and oral) and publications
• Present and actively participate in monthly Fantauzzo laboratory meetings and journal clubs, and present at local/national/international conferences
• Other related duties as assigned by Principal Investigator

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Generous leave
• Health plans
• Retirement contributions

What This Job Offers

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