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About the role

San Diego BioMed (SDB) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute located in San Diego, California. The mission of SDB is to conduct fundamental biomedical research to better understand human disease, and to use this information to contribute to the treatment and prevention of diabetes, cancer, neurological disease, HIV infection and complications of chronic disease. The Principal Investigators at SDB are accomplished scientists and well-known and recognized in their areas of expertise. SDB is located in the heart of San Diego’s science park area, which is part of the largest and most concentrated centers of science, engineering, and medicine in the United States. Further information on SDB can be found at https://sdbri.org.

The Murin Lab (www.murinlab.com) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher (or Staff Scientist, for exceptionally qualified candidates) to spearhead super-resolution imaging studies applying MINFLUX nanoscopy to the natural killer (NK) cell lytic synapse. Our laboratory studies how antibodies recruit and engage effector cells, combining super-resolution and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy with structural biology, real-time cytotoxicity assays, and protein engineering to define the molecular rules governing immune synapse organization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The selected candidate will drive the imaging arm of an NIH-funded project on HIV-1 Envelope glycoprotein (Env) presentation and NK cell ADCC. MINFLUX achieves single-molecule localization precision approaching 1 nanometer, an order of magnitude beyond conventional super-resolution methods, and very few laboratories worldwide are applying it to immune cell biology. So rather than executing established protocols, the candidate will develop the methods themselves in close partnership with the Scripps Research Microscopy Core and with Abberior application scientists, who will provide direct MINFLUX training. We are looking for someone energized rather than daunted by that prospect, and who wants to build their own research niche toward an independent academic career or a leadership role in industry.

Responsibilities

• Maintain mammalian cell culture and isolate primary NK cells from donor material
• Design and prepare imaging samples
• Collect, optimize, and troubleshoot confocal, STED, and MINFLUX nanoscopy data
• Extract, process, and analyze single-molecule localization data using scripting (Python, R, or MATLAB)
• Work closely with the Scripps Research Microscopy Core and with Abberior representatives to build and extend technical expertise on the MINFLUX platform
• Meet regularly with the Principal Investigator to interpret data, design experiments, and set project direction
• Provide training and mentorship of undergraduate students and research technicians as needed
• Prepare figures, present at lab meetings and conferences, and lead the writing of first-author manuscripts
• Contribute to grant reporting and to preliminary data for future funding applications
• Perform other duties as may be required

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. (awarded or expected within six months) in immunology, biophysics, cell biology or a related field
• 0-3 years postdoc experience, or 4+ years postdoc experience to be considered for Staff Scientist
• Hands-on experience with light microscopy or another quantitative imaging modality is ideal but not required
• Proficiency in mammalian cell culture and molecular biology
• A record of research productivity (first author publications, conference presentations)
• Demonstrated capacity to work independently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative working style

Preferred Qualifications (preference given to these candidates):

• Experience with confocal microscopy and/or super-resolution microscopy (MINFLUX, STED, PALM/STORM)
• Experience with single-molecule localization, cluster analysis, or spatial statistics
• Background in