A postdoctoral position in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and single-molecule studies of DNA repair and replication is available in the laboratory of Dr. Arek Kulczyk in the Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine at Rutgers University.

Kulczyk lab (http://kulczyk-lab.cryoemcorp.com) integrates structural approaches, in particular single-particle cryo-EM, single-molecule methods and novel correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) techniques to study DNA replication and repair (Kulczyk et al., 2017, PNAS, 114:1848; Duderstadt et. al., 2016, Mol Cell, 64:1035; Geertsema et al., 2014, PNAS, 111:4073; Kulczyk et al., 2012, PNAS, 109:9408; Loparo et al., 2011, PNAS, 108:3584).

Applicants must hold a PhD in biophysics or in a related field and have a deep working knowledge of structural biology.

Proficiency in cloning, protein expression, protein purification, and characterization of protein-nucleic acid complexes using a variety of biophysical methods (for example: BIAcore, ITC, AUC, DLS and NMR). Research experience in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and single-molecule biophysics is desirable, however not required. The selected candidate will obtain appropriate training in microscope alignments, data acquisition, image processing and structure calculation using a variety of cryo-EM software. The candidate should be proficient in Linux. Working knowledge of C++, Python, CUDA and experience in high performance computing (HPC) is desirable, but not required. Strong written and oral communication skills in English, as well as the ability to work independently and prepare scientific manuscripts are required.

The Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine houses the state-of-the-art cryo-EM facility (Thermo Fisher Scientific Talos Arctica cryo-electron microscope equipped with a Summit K2 direct electron detector, BioQuantum energy filter and a Volta phase plate; Leica DM6 FS/EM cryo-CLEM system), NMR facility (Bruker 800 MHz and 700 MHz with cryoprobes and two 600 MHz spectrometers), mass spectrometry and super-resolution imaging facilities, and is the world headquarters of the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics (RCSB) consortium and the Protein Data Bank (PDB). In addition, the effort to purchase Thermo Fisher Scientific Titan Krios and dual-beam FIB-SEM instruments is under way.