Position:

Postdoctoral position at the NIH in motor protein function in cerebellar Purkinje neurons

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Position Description:

A fully-funded postdoctoral position is available for a highly-motivated scientist who would like to use genetic, cell biological, and advanced imaging approaches to explore the functions of motor proteins in cerebellar Purkinje neurons, the master neuron of the cerebellum. We have developed techniques to culture and transfect these neurons (J. Neurosci. Meth. 2011), perform miRNA-mediated protein knockdown in them (Meth. Cell Biol. 2016), identify novel protein: protein interactions in them (Cytoskeleton, 2018), employ complementation to define structure-function relationships in them (Nat. Cell Biol. 2011 and unpublished), and generate them from stem cells (Cerebellum 2019). Candidate motor proteins for investigation where we have already made knockout mice include myosin 10 (implicated in adhesion molecule targeting), myosin 18A (implicated in spine maturation; FASEB J, 2021) and myosin 19 (implicated in mitochondrial motility and positioning). The lab and institute offer a fantastic, highly-collaborative training environment for budding young scientists, with cutting-edge resources, microscopes, and expertise, as well as rigorous mentoring and generous support for trainees.

 

Qualifications and requirements:

 

Ph.D. and/or MD. degree (or anticipate receiving their degree in the near future). Individuals with less than three years of postdoctoral experience are preferred. Prior training in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or imaging is preferred but not essential. Individuals with a background in biophysics who would like to learn cell biology are also encouraged to apply.

 

Employer Name:

John A. Hammer, Senior Investigator, Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health

 

Position Location:

Bethesda, Maryland

 

To Apply:

Interested individuals should send their CV, a brief description of their background, interests and career goals, and the names of three people who can be contacted for reference letters to John A. Hammer, Cell and Developmental Biology Center, Building 50, Room 2523, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-8017 (hammerj@nhlbi.nih.gov).

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