Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Counago Lab

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities and is among is the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.

Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.

UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (www.pharmacy.unc.edu) is one of six health science schools (Pharmacy, Nursing, Dentistry, Social Work, Public Health, Medicine) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is one of the oldest health science academic programs at Chapel Hill. The School teaches approximately 600 PharmD students and 145 graduate students. The School has built a reputation for its continued pursuit of excellence, rigorous education and training programs, cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, progressive pharmacy practices, efficient business operations, and its outstanding faculty, staff, and students. The School was named the number one School of Pharmacy in the U.S. by the U.S. News and World Report. The School has experienced unprecedented growth and success and continues to strategically position itself for sustained impact, as articulated in the School's Strategic Plan (https://pharmacy.unc.edu/about/oe/strategic-plan/).

Our Vision is to be the global leader in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Our Mission is to prepare leaders and innovators to solve the world's most pressing health care challenges. We are Advancing Medicine for Life through innovation and collaboration in pharmacy practice, education, research, and public service.

The Structural Genomics Consortium ( SGC) at UNC-Chapel Hill is seeking a highly motivated researcher to join our team as part of the NIH-funded Emory-Sage- SGC-Jax TREAT-AD Center. This multi-institutional initiative is focused on accelerating the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strategies for Alzheimer's disease by generating and disseminating high-quality research tools and data.

As a member of the Center's Structural Biology Core, this position will contribute to the development of Target Enabling Packages (TEPs) comprehensive toolkits that include purified proteins, structural data, and biochemical assays to support the broader research community in exploring novel drug targets.
Key Responsibilities:
- Protein Expression and Purification:
Design and execute recombinant protein production workflows in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems.
- Biochemical and Biophysical Characterization:
Develop and perform assays to identify and characterize protein-ligand interactions, including binding affinity, selectivity, and mechanism-of-action studies.
- Structural Biology:
Determine protein structures using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to support target validation and ligand discovery.
- Data Management and Reporting:
Maintain accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures, results, and analyses. Communicate findings regularly with the project team and contribute to collaborative research efforts within the TREAT-AD network.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of chemical biology, neuroscience, and structural biology, contributing to a national effort to uncover new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer's disease.

PhD in Biological Sciences or Chemicial Biology or related field.

Demonstrated proficiency in molecular biology, including high-throughput cloning and recombinant protein production using both bacterial and eukaryotic expression systems, such as baculovirus-infected insect cells.

Must be skilled in the use of protein purification equipment, including high-speed centrifuges and fast protein liquid chromatography ( FPLC) systems.

Expertise in developing and executing biochemical assays is essential, with hands-on experience in techniques such as fluorescence polarization, time-resolved FRET (TR- FRET), FRET, and BRET.

Proficiency in biophysical assay platforms, including isothermal titration calorimetry ( ITC) and surface plasmon resonance ( SPR), is also required for characterizing protein-ligand interactions.

Contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of DEL-based ligand discovery campaigns, supporting the identification of novel chemical matter for challenging protein targets

Experience with DNA-encoded library ( DEL) screening is highly desirable.

Apply online at https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/303083 with a cover letter, CV/resume and a list of at least three (3) professional references with their full contact information.

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at (919) 962-9982 or send an email to opahr@unc.edu.

Please note: The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.