Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Gu Lab

About the role

The Xin Gu Laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Department of Cancer Biology) and Harvard Medical School (Department of Cell Biology) seeks highly motivated postdoctoral research fellows to investigate fundamental mechanisms of protein turnover and their roles in physiology and disease. The Gu Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory studying how cells control protein homeostasis through discovery-driven approaches including genetic screening, proteomics, mechanistic biochemistry, structural biology, and in vivo animal models. Our goal is to understand these mechanisms from the molecular level to their physiological functions and relevance to human disease.

We are particularly interested in recruiting postdoctoral fellows with expertise that expands the experimental capabilities of our group in one of two broad areas:

• Mouse in vivo biology, including researchers trained in neuroscience, immunology, developmental biology, cancer biology, or related disciplines; or
• Biochemistry and structural biology, particularly researchers with expertise in protein biochemistry, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), or cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).

Candidates do not need prior experience studying protein degradation. We are especially interested in scientists who bring complementary expertise and want to apply their training to new mechanistic questions.

The successful candidate will have substantial intellectual freedom to develop research directions within the broader interests of the laboratory and will benefit from the highly collaborative research environments of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, and the broader Boston biomedical community.

Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Fellow will lead an independent research project addressing fundamental questions in cell biology and physiology. Depending on the candidate's expertise and interests, projects may include:

• Developing mouse models to determine the physiological functions of newly discovered cellular pathways in vivo.
• Applying mouse genetics, tissue analysis, primary cell approaches, viral delivery, imaging, or other in vivo techniques to mechanistic questions emerging from the laboratory.
• Investigating the functions of cellular pathways in the nervous system, immune system, development, cancer, or other physiological contexts.
• Reconstituting cellular processes using purified proteins and other biochemical systems, followed by determining molecular mechanisms and structures using cryo-EM, cryo-ET, and complementary biochemical approaches.
• Integrating in vivo, genetic, cell biological, biochemical, and structural approaches to connect molecular mechanisms with physiological function.

The fellow will design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret data, communicate findings through presentations and publications, and contribute to the laboratory's collaborative scientific environment.

Requirements

• A Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in cell biology, neuroscience, immunology, developmental biology, biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, cancer biology, or a related field.
• A strong record of scientific accomplishment and rigorous experimental research.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and critically analyze experimental results.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong scientific curiosity, initiative, and interest in pursuing fundamental mechanistic questions.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative research environment.

Benefits

The Gu Lab provides a highly interactive environment for postdoctoral training with an emphasis on scientific independence, creativity, and career development. Fellows will have opportunities to:

• Establish new research directions.
• Collaborate with investigators across Dana-Farber and Harvard.
• Mentor junior scientists.
• Develop the scientific foundation for their future independent research programs.

We particularly encourage applications from scientists whose previous training is in a field different from the lab's current research areas. Our goal is to bring together researchers with complementary expertise to address fundamental biological questions.

Pay

$72,000.00 - $76,385.00