November 5, 2024

Duke University

Durham

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations. The Schumacher laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry at the Duke University School of Medicine seeks a Cryo-EM Computational Specialist with expertise and experience in cryo-EM data collection, data processing, generation of cryo-EM maps and model building. The individual should have a Ph.D. and have more than 2 years of experience in cryo-EM data processing and 3D map generation. The individual will work under the guidance of Dr. Maria Schumacher on a number of projects involving large complexes involved in protein-nucleic acid processes, with a particular focus on proteins and complexes important in microbial pathogenesis.

Duke University has access to state-of-the art instrumentation, which includes a Thermo Fisher Krios G3i equipped with a Gatan K3 Bioquantum detector and for screening, a Thermo Fisher Tundra cryo-TEM. The Department of Biochemistry provides a rich intellectual environment, with research in structural biology (cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy), and computational biology.

Applicants should email Dr. Schumacher (maria.schumacher@duke.edu) a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief summary (< 1 page) describing their relevant research experience in cryo-EM, and names and contact information for three references. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Salary and the nature of the appointment will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Generation of samples for cryo-EM data collection including protein expression and purification.
The main responsibility would, however, be generating cryo-EM samples, performing data collection and processing of cryo-EM data.
Setup of future hardware and software as the research technology is upgraded.
Providing lab members support in data collection, image processing, map improvement, structure analysis, model building, and validation.
Specific areas of research are investigation of multiprotein-nucleic acid complexes that are important in transcription, nucleoid associated protein complexes, DNA replication and DNA repair.

Minimum Qualifications (Mandatory):
Qualified candidates should have a Ph.D. Degree in a relevant field and more than 2 years of hands-on experience in cryo-EM microscopy, including image processing and structure modeling.

Special Knowledge, Skill & Abilities:
The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal communication skills and be able to work well with lab members from a variety of scientific and cultural backgrounds.

Salary:
Dependent on education and cryo-EM experience level. But for postdoctoral fellows will adhere to minimally, NIH guidelines.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

See job description for education requirements.

Experience

See job description for requirements.

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Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.