Job Overview

As one of the oldest medical schools in the country, the UC College of Medicine has a reputation for training best-in-class health care professionals and developing cutting-edge procedures and research that improves the health and clinical care of patients. 

Dr. Jiajie Diao at Department of Cancer Biology currently has one NIH-funded postdoctoral position available. This position will support the University’s mission and commitment to excellence and diversity in our students, faculty, staff and all our activities. This position is a temporary appointment as a research trainee. The main research project is to study the role of alpha-synuclein in regulating SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. We use reconstituted systems with recombinant proteins for in vitro analysis. Particular emphasis is on mechanistic studies using transient kinetic methods (fluorescence) as well as thermodynamic (equilibrium binding and isothermal titration calorimetry), single-molecule fluorescence and structural (x-ray crystallography & electron microscope) approaches.

Essential Functions

• Conduct research experiments within the pre-determined research scope and methodology.
• Gather and analyze data and develop new ideas that promote current research.
• Prepare data summaries, reports, manuscripts and presentations of research results.
• Participate/assist in manuscript writing for publication in scientific journals and/or presentation; may assist in grant writing.
• Keep informed of developments in field to maintain and enhance professional expertise.
• Lab maintenance, including equipment maintenance and ordering of supplies, as needed.
• May teach techniques to others, train, and mentor junior research staff.
• Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities. 
• Play an active role in seeking career and research advice, both from the faculty supervisor and from other faculty members as well. 
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

Doctoral Degree in Biophysics, Biochemistry, or a related field.

Required Experience

• In-depth knowledge of specialized field, process or discipline.
• May require experience with specialized software programs. 

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Strong expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology techniques, in particular protein expression, purification and characterization.
• Please include 2-3 professional references.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment