Post-Doctoral Fellow

University of Colorado • Aurora, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The laboratory of Dr. Olivia Rissland seeks to hire a Post-Doctoral Fellow for a one-year appointment to work on leading edge questions in RNA biology pursued as part of our research program outlined below. Our lab is in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics and part of the RNA Bioscience Initiative at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Our lab studies how co-translational processes regulate gene expression and is newly focused on leveraging these insights to create novel molecular tools.
One long-term goal of our research program is to understand the molecular mechanism of 2A peptides. These short 20-22 amino acid sequences enable a unique co-translational event – the skipping of a peptide bond – and thus the production of multiple, separate peptides from one coding region. The postdoctoral fellow will investigate the molecular mechanism, using a suite of tools including cryo-electron microscopy. The fellow will also initiate a new project to build a “second-generation,” tunable 2A peptide, which will involve high-throughput microscopy screening and massively parallel reporter assays. Ideal candidates will have expertise in structural biology. Candidates will be expected to plan and execute independent work, write and submit fellowship applications (if applicable), assist in the writing and publication of experimental results, and contribute positively towards the atmosphere and culture of the lab.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in structural biology or a related field
• Strong record of productivity as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications in internationally recognized journals
• Experience in biochemistry, structural, and molecular biology
• Excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated scientific curiosity and strong intrinsic motivation to pursue innovative research questions.
• Capacity to design, direct, and execute independent research projects with a high degree of initiative and accountability.
• Effective mentoring and leadership practices to support the development of junior laboratory members.
• Strong interpersonal and communication competencies, with the ability to collaborate productively within a collegial and interdisciplinary research environment. Commitment to contributing positively to laboratory culture and the broader departmental community.
• Ability to prepare and submit competitive fellowship applications and contribute to scholarly publications.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• Lead an independent research project to define the molecular and structural mechanisms of 2A peptide function and develop novel molecular tools based on these insights.
• Design and execute experiments using structural biology approaches (required), including cryo-EM, in combination with mammalian cell culture, RNA biochemistry, nucleic acid purification and sequencing, genome engineering, computational biology, and molecular genetics.
• Analyze and interpret complex structural and biochemical datasets to advance the lab’s research objectives.
• Develop new technical expertise as needed, including gaining proficiency in RNA biology and related methodologies.
• Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts, grant applications (internal and external), and scientific presentations for meetings and conferences.
• Mentor and train junior scientists in experimental design, data analysis, and professional scientific development.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree