Post-Doctoral Fellow

University of Colorado • Aurora, CO

10h • Onsite

About The Position

The Zyla Lab in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics is seeking a highly motivated Post-Doctoral Fellow to join a newly established research program focused on the structural dynamics of molecular machines. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the scientific direction of a growing lab at the interface of structural biology, biophysics, and virology, while contributing to cutting-edge research with broad implications for human health and therapeutic design. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will lead independent projects exploring transient and dynamic protein states using techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, tomography, kinetic assays, and computational analysis. Day-to-day work will include experimental design, data collection and interpretation, close collaboration with the PI and lab members, and mentoring junior researchers. This role offers substantial intellectual freedom, opportunities for publication and grant development, and direct impact on the department’s research mission.
Our department conducts research across a wide biological scale for fundamental scientific understanding with applications to many disease contexts. The overarching goal is to reach a level of molecular insight that helps develop therapeutic approaches to disease. As biochemists and molecular geneticists, we are amid an unprecedented time of discovery - our conception of the molecular biology of cells is going from the equivalent of grainy black-and-white to high-resolution technicolor. From deciphering the choreography of transcription complexes, chromosomes, and RNA molecules within cells to developing novel approaches to 3D molecular structure determination to understanding how viruses hijack a cell’s machinery and alter its metabolome, the researchers in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) are at the forefronts of their fields both conceptually and technologically.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in Structural Biology, Virology, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience conducting independent research in a laboratory setting
• Experience with data analysis and interpretation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute to manuscripts and presentations
• Ability to lead and troubleshoot research projects
• Experience analyzing complex experimental or computational datasets and synthesizing results into clear conclusions
• Ability to mentor junior researchers and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet research deadlines, and contribute positively to a rigorous and inclusive lab culture
• Ability to plan and carry out experiments with minimal supervision

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), Tomography, or Kinetic Assays
• Experience mentoring or supervising students, research assistants, or junior trainees

Responsibilities

• Design and lead independent research projects aligned with the lab’s focus on structural dynamics and molecular mechanisms
• Apply and further develop expertise in cryo-EM, cryo-ET, biophysical assays, or complementary computational approaches
• Analyze, interpret, and synthesize complex datasets into clear scientific conclusions
• Mentor graduate students, research services professionals, and trainees in experimental and analytical techniques
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant applications, and scientific presentations
• Collaborate within the lab and with departmental, campus, and external research partners
• Support the establishment of best practices for reproducible and rigorous research in a new lab environment

Benefits

• The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package.
• To see what benefits are available for Post-Doctoral Fellows, please visit: · Payroll & Benefits Orientation for Post-Doctoral Fellows | University of Colorado (cu.edu) · Post-Doctoral Benefits Guide
• There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage

What This Job Offers

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