A postdoctoral position is available for research in the area of interactions and dynamics of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), the sole mediator and gatekeeper for trafficking between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Our studies use advanced biophysical and structural methodologies, in particular various NMR techniques applied in vitro and in vivo, to characterize the dynamic atomic-scale behavior of the components of this macromolecular gating system. This work will also seek to further refine our nanoscale artificial mimic that faithfully reproduces key features of trafficking through the NPC, including transport-factor mediated cargo import (1). Such NPC-inspired molecular sorters could have many practical analytical and preparative applications.
Interested candidates should have a strong background in one or more of the following areas: multidimensional NMR (liquids or solids), protein expressions methods, materials science, and computer simulations of molecular structure, and have completed their Ph.D.
This project is a collaboration between the NPC research focused groups of Prof. Michael Rout and of Prof. Brian Chait at Rockefeller University, and the NMR-focused lab of Prof. David Cowburn at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. NMR facilities include twelve spectrometers located at the two Universities and at the New York Structural Biology Center ranging from 500-900 MHz, and including solid state systems, with an additional DNP-solids system expected in 1q 2013. There are extensive facilities in the labs and in central resources for protein production, mass spec, and high performance computing.
The position is available immediately, and interested candidates should forward the biographical sketches including the names of three references to Beth Anne Hatton; hattonb@mail.rockefeller.edu; Administrative Assistant.
The Rockefeller University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/VEVRAA employers and solicits applications from women and under-represented minorities.
(1) Jovanovic-Talisman, T., Tetenbaum-Novatt, J., McKenney, A.S., Zilman, A., Peters, R., Rout, M.P., and Chait, B.T. (2009). Artificial nanopores that mimic the transport selectivity of the nuclear pore complex. Nature 457, 1023-1027.
