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Structural Immunology and Protein Engineering

Sgourakis Lab, Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania

The Sgourakis Lab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our NIH funded research program studying the structural basis by which MHC-I and the MHC-I related protein MR1 recognize small molecules and peptides, and how these receptors interact with molecular chaperones and T cell receptors.

About the Lab

Our lab uses an integrative structural biology approach, combining solution NMR spectroscopy, protein engineering, biophysics, and computational modeling, to understand how immune receptors recognize diverse ligands and report on cellular states. Recent work from the lab includes the development of miniaturized protein platforms that recapitulate native receptor behavior [insert platform names, e.g., SMART/TRACeR], together with mechanistic studies of chaperone mediated ligand exchange.

Position Overview

This position will focus on applying and extending our recombinant protein engineering and solution NMR platforms to characterize how ligands and chaperones shape the conformational dynamics of MR1 and related receptors. Core responsibilities include:

• Recombinant protein expression, in vitro refolding, and biophysical characterization (DSF, SEC, ITC, SPR, fluorescence polarization) of MHC-I and MR1 constructs
• Solution NMR sample preparation, isotopic labeling, and data acquisition, including backbone and methyl NMR experiments
• Collaborative structural and mechanistic studies of chaperone mediated ligand exchange
• Manuscript preparation and contribution to grant funded research objectives

What You Will Do

• Conduct independent scholarly research and develop new methods and protocols
• Participate in project planning, data recording, and interpretation and evaluation of results
• Develop technical, lab management, and grant writing skills
• Present at seminars, lectures, poster sessions, and national meetings
• Mentor and supervise junior lab members
• Contribute to other research projects in the lab

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Immunology, or a related field
• Hands on experience with recombinant protein expression and purification, and with biophysical assays
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment

Preferred

• Experience with solution NMR, including sample preparation and data analysis
• Familiarity with isotope labeling strategies and measurements of protein dynamics
• Experience with structural modeling or computational approaches to protein structure
• Strong record of scientific writing and communication, evidenced by peer reviewed publications

Environment

The lab is based in the Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, with a primary faculty appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania. Postdoctoral researchers have access to state of the art NMR (600 and 800 MHz Avance Neo spectrometers at the recently upgraded Penn NMR facility), biophysics, and cryoEM facilities, along with high performance computing and close collaborations across CHOP and Penn in structural biology, immunology, and cell and gene therapy.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with attention to experimental rigor and reproducibility
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple experiments and priorities, and to maintain detailed and accurate records
• Ability to work safely with biological and chemical reagents in accordance with institutional laboratory safety protocols

Contact

sgourakisn@chop.edu

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to wear a respirator device

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SALARY RANGE:

$20,800.00 - $110,400.00 Annually

Salary ranges are shown for full-time jobs. If you're working part-time, your pay will be adjusted accordingly.

If you are applying for a Research Post-Doctoral Fellow role, please refer to this link for salary guidelines (copy & paste into your browser): https://www.research.chop.edu/services/hiring-a-postdoctoral-fellow#collapse-accordion-3523-3

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