Protein Design Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

We seek a driven and technically adept Postdoctoral Fellow with prior experience in cryo-electron microscopy and/or other structural biology techniques. The successful candidate will independently solve the structures of protein-ligand complexes using cryo-electron microscopy to support the discovery of novel therapeutic agents. Being trained at the intersection between data science, genomic medicine, and drug discovery, this position will focus on generation of high-quality protein samples suitable for single-particle cryo-EM, data collection on the latest cryo-EM hardware, and data processing to generate high-resolution structures in a high-performance computing environment. This effort will enable structure-based drug design through insights gained from the resulting structural data and interaction with data scientists and AI experts, together with medicinal and computational chemists and assay scientists. MD Anderson houses a newly installed Glacios-2 microscope (with Falcon 4i detector and Selectris X imaging filter) for data collection and a Tundra microscope for routine sample screening, in addition to direct access to Titan Krios microscopes at neighboring core facilities.
All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Gain an understanding of how to apply cryo-EM to cutting-edge AI-led drug discovery programs that lead to therapeutics advancing to clinical testing. Become more familiar with traditional and emerging drug discovery techniques and their relationships to structural biology. Accelerate structure determination using single-particle cryo-EM by implementing state-of-the-art experimental and computational workflows. Be at the interface between structural biology and AI-led data science.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Individuals with a PhD in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacology, or structural biology with a strong history of application in the life sciences are encouraged to apply. A strong background and knowledge of structural biology is required. Expertise with protein expression and purification, cryo-EM sample preparation (Vitrobot/Leica), and data collection on modern microscopes is needed. Experience with microscope operation, the latest single-particle cryo-EM data processing software (CryoSPARC, RELION, etc.), model building (Phenix, Coot, etc.), and working in a high-performance computing environment (Unix/Linux) is highly preferred. The ability to work with multidisciplinary partners with backgrounds in medicinal chemistry and computer-aided drug design, for example, is a must. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential in this role to share this work with the broader drug discovery community through published articles and presentations.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
This position reports to Dr. Bissan Al-Lazikani in Genomic Medicine with direct support and mentorship from Dr. Jason Cross in the Institute for Applied Cancer Science Institute.
Interested applicants should send a Cover Letter specifying past research experience/skills/accomplishments, a Curriculum Vitae, and the contact information of three (3) references to Dr. Jason Cross at JBCross@mdanderson.org with the subject line entitled "Postdoctoral Fellow - Application - Applicant's Name".
POSITION INFORMATION
MD Anderson offers full-time postdoc positions with a salary ranging from $64,000 to $76,000. depending on the number of years of postgraduate experience. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html