Biochemistry investigators seeking postdoctoral fellows
Many Biochemistry faculty are searching for postdoctoral fellows. We encourage you to visit our primary and secondary faculty webpages in addition to browsing through this list.
Manny Ascano
The Ascano Laboratory is seeking highly motivated individuals with a PhD degree and a strong background in RNA biology and/or innate immunity, with preference to those with computational experience. Our laboratory comprises of an interdisciplinary group that is interested in examining RNA post-transcriptional mechanisms in innate immunity and host-viral pathogen interactions. We utilize novel biochemical, virological, immunological, and molecular and cell biological tools with high-throughput transcriptomic and proteomic technologies. Interested individuals should contact PI directly for more information.
Breann Brown
Postdoctoral research position to study the molecular and structural basis for eukaryotic heme biosynthesis. The Brown lab focuses on using structural biology to understand how defects in macromolecular protein assembly underlie mitochondrial diseases. Specifically, we are recruiting for a postdoc to study a high-risk, high-reward project focused on understanding dynamics of protein assembly governing heme metabolism. In addition to structural biology, the laboratory also employs a wide range of biochemical and biophysical techniques to discern molecular mechanisms, including mass spectrometry, enzyme assays, and various binding assays. Successful applicants will have a foundation in cell biology and structural biology (X-ray crystallography, NMR, cryo-EM) with further opportunities for proteomics and metabolomics. For more information, please visit the Brown Laboratory website (https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/brown-lab/)
Bruce Carter
The Carter lab is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to explore the role of the phagocytic receptor, Jedi1, in the developing nervous system. In particular, the project involves exploring Jedi1 activation, signaling and regulation of expression in microglial cells in the perinatal brain. For more information, please see our website: https://www.brucecarterlab.com/index.html.
Walter Chazin
Theme A- The structural mechanisms and function of multi-protein genome maintenance machines: (1) primer synthesis at the replication fork, (2) the role of 4Fe-4S clusters and DNA charge transport in template priming, (3) ssDNA binding proteins Rad51, RPA and RADX in fork stalling and remodeling, and (4) the correlation between defective nucleotide excision repair and sensitivity to DNA damaging agents. Theme B- Innate immunity and inflammation in infectious disease: (1) calprotectin in nutritional immunity to pathogens and activation of inflammatory signaling, and (2) structures, signaling mechanisms, and inhibitors of cell surface receptors mediating inflammation. Our laboratory uses a combination of approaches ranging from integrative structural biology to fragment-based discovery of small molecule inhibitors of critical protein-protein interactions to biochemical assays in vitro and in cells. For more information see our website at: http://structbio.vanderbilt.edu/chazin.
David Cortez
The Cortez lab is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms that maintain genome integrity, how defects in these pathways cause diseases including cancer, and how we can use this information in therapeutic strategies. Current projects in the lab include: (1) identification and characterization of new replication stress response proteins; (2) functional studies on how the genotoxin responses controlled by the HMCES protein maintain genome stability and prevent disease; (3) mechanistic studies of replication-coupled DNA repair and damage tolerance; (4) analysis of DNA damage signaling and cell cycle checkpoint pathways controlled by the ATR kinase; and (5) development of cancer therapeutic approaches targeting the DNA damage response. For more information visit https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/cortez-lab/
Brandt Eichman
Full-time, NIH-funded Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Brandt Eichman in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University. Research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication-repair enzymes and their macromolecular complexes, utilizing structural (cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography), biochemical, and biophysical methods. Projects are collaborative and multidisciplinary, providing trainees with experience in cell biology, genetics, and chemical biology. Experience in structural biology and/or mechanistic biochemistry, and a strong interest in genome maintenance biology is preferred. To apply, email CV, cover letter detailing research interests and career goals, reprints of recent publications, and names of 3 references to brandt.eichman@vanderbilt.edu. See website for more details: https://structbio.vanderbilt.edu/eichman/
Stephen Fesik
Dr. Fesik has a multi-disciplinary group and currently has 3 open postdoc positions listed on the Fesik Lab website at https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/fesik-lab/open-positions/.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY (Crystallography) The Fesik Lab at Vanderbilt University has an immediate opening for a talented and accomplished protein X-ray crystallographer to join our group as postdoctoral research fellow. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in structural biology or a related field and strong experience with protein expression, purification, and co-crystal structure determination. Any NMR experience is a plus.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY The Fesik Lab at Vanderbilt University has an immediate opening for a talented and accomplished synthetic chemist to join our group as postdoctoral research fellow. The ideal candidates will have a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry with extensive training in synthetic methodology and/or total synthesis. We use fragment-based screening and structure-based design to discover small molecule inhibitors for important oncology targets. Postdoctoral chemists in our group have the opportunity to learn and apply cutting edge approaches to drug design and synthesize analogs of hit molecules to improve binding affinity to a protein target and then to optimize the pharmaceutical properties of these molecules.
Fred Guengerich
The Guengerich laboratory is interested in the structures and functions of enzymes involved in the activation and processing of xenobiotic chemicals (i.e., those not normally found in the body, e.g. drugs and carcinogens), as well as steroids and vitamins. More specifically, we are studying mechanisms of oxidations catalyzed by human P450s and also polymerase interactions with carcinogen-modified DNA. More than 140 postdocs have trained in this laboratory and have gone on to careers in teaching, academic research, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. See https://my.vanderbilt.edu/guengerichlab/.
Scott Hiebert
The Hiebert lab is using chemical-genetic approaches to define the molecular mechanisms by which oncogenic transcription factors cause cancer. We are using CRISPRs in conjunction with homology directed DNA repair to insert degron and epitope tags into the endogenous loci of key oncogenes. We couple rapid degradation of the endogenous factor (within 1-2hr) with genomic analysis of nascent transcription to define the immediate and direct targets of these transcription factors. We then we intersect cutting-edge genomic approaches (e.g. PRO-seq, CUT&RUN, ATAC-seq, RNA-seq) with rapid purification and proteomic analysis of the associated chromatin-modifying complexes to define the mechanism of transcriptional control. We also use engineered mouse models to translate our in vitro hypotheses to in vivo models. We believe that this provides an exceptional training environment to prepare you for the next steps in your career. https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/hiebert-lab/
Tina Iverson
The Iverson laboratory (https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/iverson-lab/) seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who is interested in the molecular mechanisms that underlie information transfer in mammals or bacteria. Applicants are expected to be highly independent and reasonably autonomous such that they can responsible for contributing to research projects with minimal supervision. Experience in at least one biochemical, biophysical, or structural technique is essential; training in additional techniques will be available. The position will require the applicant to draft both manuscripts and funding proposals, which will in turn require a deep knowledge of the relevant literature. Successful applicants must also be able to work well with collaborators and members of the team. In the latter capacity, they will be expected to train junior laboratory members and will act as the immediate supervisor to at least one research assistant. Finally, successful applicants will be expected to display leadership in the laboratory ad contribute to the mission of the university. Strong organizational skills, the ability to work well with a range of personalities, and attention to detail are important for these functions.
Bill Tansey
The Tansey Laboratory at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is recruiting post-doctoral fellows for multiple NCI-funded projects to study the mechanisms of action of the MYC family of oncoprotein transcription factors. The long-term goals of this work are to understand the actions of MYC on chromatin and its interaction with tumor-critical transcriptional co-factors, and to leverage these discoveries to develop new ways of targeting MYC in the clinic. More information about the laboratory environment and our current research efforts is available at tanseylab.com.