Postdoctoral Research Associate – Biochemistry Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher Position

The Ghanbarpour Laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at WashU Medicine is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our interdisciplinary research program. Our lab investigates how bacteria and human mitochondria maintain homeostasis and respond to stress and environmental challenges. A central focus of our research is uncovering the molecular mechanisms of ATP-dependent AAA proteolytic machines, both soluble and membrane-spanning, and their accessory factors in bacterial and mitochondrial systems. We study how these complexes assemble, achieve substrate specificity, and promote bacterial recovery from antibiotic stress, environmental changes, and pathogen attack. These efforts combine cryo-EM and cryo-ET structural biology, biochemical and cellular assays, and mass spectrometry. The lab also explores bacterial defense mechanisms against bacteriophage infection, including rewiring of proteolytic systems and the deployment of innate immune strategies that enable survival during phage attack. In addition, another major focus of our research is protein engineering and the development of new molecular tools based on these proteolytic systems. Experience in cryo-EM/cryo-ET is highly desirable; additional expertise in biochemistry, genetic microbiology, or protein engineering is a plus.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will gain extensive hands-on training in cryo-EM sample preparation and data analysis, heterogeneity analysis tools, mass spectrometry, membrane biology, biochemistry, and cellular assays. The Ghanbarpour Laboratory and WashU Medicine provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for structural biology, biochemistry, and mass spectrometry, along with a highly collaborative research environment. Importantly, postdoctoral researchers are encouraged to dedicate up to 20% of their time to an independent research project, with the opportunity to develop a faculty-level research proposal. This position is well suited for individuals pursuing careers in academia and supported by NIH grant R35GM160328, the Longer Life Foundation, and WashU startup funds.