Postdoctoral Position in CryoEM/ET of Parasites at Columbia University (Molecular parasitology background)

The Ho Laboratory is seeking a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral research scholar to join us in using single particle cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) and in situ cryo electron tomography (cryoET) to explore how membrane protein complexes mediate host-pathogen interactions in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Projects will be focused on directly visualizing the host-pathogen interface in parasite-infected human red blood cells at high resolution using in situ cryoET, as well as CRISPR/Cas9 tagging and cryoEM structure determination of native membrane protein complexes purified directly from P. falciparum parasites. No previous experience with cryoEM/ET required! Our lab is located in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, New York. More information here: www.cmholab.org/research. If interested, please send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to Dr. Chi-Min Ho at ch3516@cumc.columbia.edu.

We’re excited to meet you!

We are looking for an innovative, resourceful and resilient scientist who enjoys learning new things, being part of an open, collaborative team and is excited to learn cryoEM/ET and develop creative new approaches to parasite culture to meet the unique demands of structural parasitology. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, collaborative research community and enjoy access to state-of-the-art electron microscopy and other core facilities at Columbia, including:

  • State-of-the-art electron microscopy facilities, with dedicated access to a Titan Krios TEM microscope for high resolution data collection, Aquilos cryoFIB/SEM and multiple screening TEM microscopes

  • Confocal and Specialized Microscopy Core, offering advanced microscope systems with full-time staff support for multidimensional optical imaging of living and fixed cells and tissues using a wide range of state-of-the-art microscopy technologies, from super-resolution microscopy to laser capture and microirradiation

  • Flow Cytometry core with an array of high-end, well-maintained instruments including state-of-the-art cell sorters and cell analyzers, including Becton Dickinson FACSAria, Propel Labs Bigfoot, and Bio-Rad S3e, as well as a Bio-Rad ZE5 and NovoCyte Quanteon

Salary and benefits are competitive based on experience.

 Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. or equivalent in microbiology, molecular biology, or biochemistry.

  • A strong background and proven track record in molecular parasitology, including one or more of the following: CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing and creation of transgenic parasites, Plasmodium parasite culture, and/or protein biochemistry and purification.

  • Previous experience with confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, image analysis, and/or PYTHON is a plus.

  • Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, and excellent attention to detail are always appreciated!

jobRxiv posting: https://jobrxiv.org/job/the-ho-lab-at-columbia-university-27778-postdoctoral-position-for-cryoem-et-of-malaria-parasites-at-columbia-university/

Postdoctoral Position in CryoEM of Parasites at Columbia University (Structural biology background)

The Ho Lab is seeking a talented and enthusiastic postdoctoral research scholar to join us in using cryoEM, cryoFIB-SEM, and cryoET to explore how membrane protein complexes mediate host-pathogen interactions in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Projects include single-particle cryoEM structure determination of native membrane protein complexes purified directly from malaria parasites and cryoFIB enabled cryoelectron tomography of the host-pathogen interface in parasite-infected red blood cells. Our lab is located in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University in New York City, New York. If this sounds interesting to you, email a cover letter and your CV to Dr. Ho at ch3516@cumc.columbia.edu.

We’re excited to meet you!

We are looking for innovative, resourceful and resilient scientists who enjoy learning new things, meeting new people, and being part of an open, collaborative team. Successful candidates will join a vibrant, collaborative research community and have access to state-of-the-art electron microscopy facilities at Columbia, including:

  • four FEI/TFS Titan Krios microscopes with a Gatan BioQuantum energy filter, K3 direct electron detector, and Volta phase plate

  • an FEI/TFS Aquilos cryo-FIB/SEM microscope, Leica cryo-correlative fluorescence light microscope, Zeiss LSM800 cryo-confocal with AiryScan detector

  • Glacios 200kV screening microscope with a K3 direct electron detector

  • F20 screening microscope with a K2 Summit direct electron detector

Salary and benefits are competitive based on experience.

 Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. or equivalent in biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, materials science, and/or microbiology.

  • A strong background and proven track record in protein biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology, microbiology, parasite genetics, tissue culture or nanofabrication is preferred.

  • Previous experience in cryoEM, cryoET, FIB-SEM, or cryoFIB is desired, but not required.

  • Experience with machine learning, Python, C++, or MATLAB is a plus.

  • Strong communication, interpersonal and organizational skills, and excellent attention to detail are always appreciated!