科罗拉多大学分子生物学博士后岗位

Institution

University of Colorado, Boulder

Position

Postdoc in molecular biology/structural biology 

Date Posted

Sep 20 2007 

Application Deadline

Open Until Filled 

Job Description

We are seeking a highly-motivated post-doctoral researcher to study the molecular mechanisms that regulate transcription in humans. Our lab uses a variety of biochemical and biophysical approaches to study the mechanism of transcription initiation, with particular focus on the human Mediator complex. The Mediator complex is over 1.0 MDa in size; although Mediator is required for regulating the expression of all protein-coding genes in the human genome, very little is known about how Mediator itself is regulated or how it works to control other components of the general transcription machinery (e.g. RNA polymerase II). The postdoctoral project will involve a structural and functional analysis of Mediator, specifically addressing how activator-induced structural changes affect the biochemical function of the complex. As with all lab projects, we use any and every available technique to address specific mechanistic questions. This particular project will involve structural analysis using cryo-EM (and also X-ray crystallography), mass spectrometry, in vitro transcription assays using a fully reconstituted human transcription system, and a fair amount of protein purification combined with other standard biochemical/biophysical assays.

Applicant must have experience in cloning, protein purification, and other standard molecular biology protocols. Experience with cryo-EM and single-particle reconstruction techniques is a huge plus, but not an absolute requirement for this position. The lab is located on the main University of Colorado campus in Boulder, Colorado. All equipment required for this project is readily available on site, as is funding for the project; start date is flexible but is targeted for January 2008.

Contact

Dylan Taatjes
Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Colorado, Boulder
Campus Box 215
Boulder, CO 80309
United States
Phone: 303 492-6929
Fax: 303 492-5894
Email: Dylan.Taatjes@colorado.edu 
Employer's Web Site:  http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/taatjeslab/