POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER - Biophysics - Frederick Lab [Req#: 933905, Position#: 131221]

UT Southwestern • Dallas, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

A Postdoctoral Training position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Frederick at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct advanced research under assigned directives aligned with the scientific mission of the Frederick Lab. The lab focuses on understanding the conformational ensemble of intrinsically disordered proteins using sensitivity-enhanced solid-state NMR (DNP NMR), integrating structural biology, cell biology, and biophysics to study protein misfolding in neurodegenerative disease. The NIH-funded project emphasizes elucidating how α-synuclein conformations change within cells during the transition from a healthy to a toxic state, leveraging DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR to achieve site-specific atomic resolution in intact, viable cells.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a related field.
• Deep expertise in solid-state NMR spectroscopy, including data collection, pulse sequence understanding, and spectral interpretation.
• Strong track record in recombinant protein expression and purification (isotopic labeling experience preferred).
• First-author publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with DNP-enhanced NMR, cryogenic MAS, or low-temperature techniques.
• Familiarity with α-synuclein or other intrinsically disordered proteins or heterogeneous systems.
• Interest in neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and protein misfolding.
• Willingness to work at the interface of structural biology and cell biology.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, electroporation, or confocal microscopy is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute solid-state NMR experiments (including DNP-enhanced 2D and 1D spectra) to analyze α-synuclein conformations in vitro and in intact mammalian cells.
• Express and purify uniformly and site-specifically labeled α-synuclein variants using recombinant protein expression in E. coli.
• Introduce labeled proteins into mammalian cell models via electroporation and assess cellular toxicity using fluorescence microscopy and viability assays.
• Analyze conformational ensembles through chemical shift perturbation and peak shape/population analysis.
• Collaborate with team members in cell biology, microscopy, and disease modeling.
• Present findings in group meetings, conferences, and peer-reviewed journals.

What This Job Offers

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