Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate shall be responsible for conducting research on deciphering the mechanism of nucleocytoplasmic transport using 3D single molecule fluorescence microscopy and single particle tracking approaches (see Sau et al., 2025 Nature 640:821). Both astigmatism and MINFLUX microscopy will be applied to determine the binding locations of various proteins within the nuclear pore complex (NPC), the locations of various transport pathways though the pore, and the structural and dynamic properties of the FG-polypeptides, which generate the permeability barrier. The successful applicant will purify his/her own reagents and perform the single molecule experiments. This project requires multi-color experiments on single fluorophores with sub-10 nm precision and millisecond-scale time resolution, with special attention applied to image stabilization and alignment, and drift and chromatic corrections.

Requirements

• Appropriate PhD in related field

Nice To Haves

• Experience labeling proteins with fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins.
• Experience with single molecule fluorescence methods.
• A strong background and training in quantitative approaches.
• PhD emphasis ranging from physics to cell biology.
• MATLAB programming ability.
• Strong skillset/background in biochemical and biophysical methods and approaches, standard molecular biology and protein chemistry techniques, CRISPR/Cas, and/or computational simulations.

Responsibilities

• Single Molecule and Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy Experiments Designing, planning, and implementing 3D super-resolution fluorescence microscopy experiments to decipher various aspects of nucleocytoplasmic transport.
• Data Analysis Use existing algorithms and design new approaches to analyze microscopy data in order to understand its implications for understanding nucleocytoplasmic transport. Analyzed data will be reported at conferences and within research publications and may be used in future grant proposals.
• Protein Modification, Purification and Labeling Mutagenesis, overproduction, and purification of proteins as required for in vitro nuclear transport experiments. Labeling proteins with fluorescent dyes and fluorescent proteins.
• Additional Lab Support May assist, mentor, and/or supervise other personnel (e.g., graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) who are working on research related to the project. Prepares presentation materials on research topic that may be presented to small and/or large groups. Actively participates in the preparation of required technical progress reports to research sponsors.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts , and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees