Postdoctoral Scholar

Louisiana State University

3d • Onsite

About The Position

A Postdoctoral Scholar position is available to work collaboratively with theoretical colleagues to design and conduct experiments that test the FoldCat hypothesis and investigate the catalytic potential of primitive coacervates in promoting peptide or nucleic acid elongation. This work will provide important insights into the dynamic mechanisms that may have contributed to the emergence of protein-like sequences and prebiotic coacervates with catalytic functions at the origin of life. Survival of the Fittest is Darwin’s principle of biological adaptation and evolutionary change, characterized by resourcefulness, self-serving resource use, and increasing fitness. This project seeks to understand the physical and chemical mechanisms underlying these dynamics and their origins in the emergence of life. The FoldCat hypothesis offers a promising mechanism by which out-of-equilibrium synthesis of short random peptides can generate longer, protein-like chains with catalytic activity. We will experimentally test whether this process can produce the double positive feedback required as a precursor to Survival of the Fittest. The project is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and entails collaboration between the theory (Ken Dill at SUNY) and experiments (Ronald Zuckermann at LBNL and Donghui Zhang at LSU).

Requirements

• PhD in polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, materials science, or a related discipline
• Experience in synthesis and structural analysis of self-assembled biomimetic or bioderived polymers.
• Advanced proficiency in research performance and methods, monomer and polymer synthesis, characterization, and purification, polymer fractionation and separation by recycling SEC, HPLC, and mass spectrometry, and proven ability to communicate results clearly, both orally and in writing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with polymer synthesis by controlled polymerization, polymer fractionation and characterization, biophysical analysis, and structural characterization.
• Structural characterization of polymer solution by X-ray and light scattering and microscopic imaging techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize random peptoid or peptide copolymers containing hydrophobic (H) and polar (P) monomers; design and execute experiments to establish relationships between HP chain composition and chain length and coacervate formation and stability in the presence of prebiotic molecules; design and evaluate the catalytic activity of HP polymer/prebiotic molecule-based coacervates.
• Prepare research reports; participate in team meetings; and disseminate research findings through conference presentations and publications.
• Ongoing training & development and other duties as designated by the manager.

Benefits

• health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement options
• various leave options
• paid holidays
• wellness benefits
• tuition exemption for qualified positions
• training and development opportunities
• employee discounts

What This Job Offers

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