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Postdoctoral Positions

Chong Lab Postdoctoral Research Fellow – IDPs, phase separation, gene regulation 

Job Description:

The laboratory of Dr. Shasha Chong in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow. The Chong Lab studies the interaction behaviors and functions of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), including their phase separation behaviors. We are interested in understanding how IDPs play roles in transcriptional regulation and other processes in mammalian cells in the context of physiology and disease, including different forms of cancer. We use highly interdisciplinary approaches in our research, including quantitative single-cell and single-molecule imaging, molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and proteomics.

The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to participate in diverse projects and collaborate with labs in and outside Caltech. Applicants with interest are welcome to explore the selected works published by the Chong Lab and by Dr. Shasha Chong before coming to Caltech: Chong et al, Cell 2014, Chong et al, Science 2018, Chong et al, Mol Cell 2022, Irgen-Gioro et al, eLife 2022, Chen et al, BioRxiv 2022, Wang et al, Cancer Discov 2023. More information about research in the Chong Lab can be found on the lab website: https://www.schonglab.com.

Qualifications:

The applicant must have received, or be scheduled to receive, a Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, biophysics, chemistry, or other related fields by the start of the appointment. A strong record of research productivity is required. Expertise in molecular cloning is required. Previous experience in one or more of the following techniques/fields is strongly preferred: protein purification, CRISPR-mediated genome-editing, functional genomics, and gene regulation.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should email Dr. Shasha Chong ([email protected]) a CV and a description of past research experience and future research interests. Following an initial screening of these application materials, appropriate candidates will be contacted by email for letters of reference. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.

Hiring Range
$64,480.00 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our benefits and who is eligible.

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Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. For more information about "EEO is the Law," click here: EEO IS THE LAW.


Microbiome Post-docs for Celiac Disease Study at Caltech – Ismagilov Lab

The Ismagilov Lab at Caltech is seeking two talented, motivated individuals to join a collaborative project looking at the role of the microbiome in celiac disease. The multi-institute project aims to test the hypothesis that celiac disease is a heterogeneous disorder, while attempting to define interactions between intestinal epithelial cells, the gut microbiota, immune system, and genetics that underlie differences in clinical presentation, severity of tissue destruction, and the ability to heal. The integration of different layers of molecular (scRNA-seq, genomic), immunological, metabolomics and microbiome data (where host transcriptional and microbial signatures are obtained on the same intestinal biopsy) from clinically well-characterized patients will provide us the unique opportunity to address questions that would not be possible otherwise. Please see the NIH RePORTER listing for more details: https://reporter.nih.gov/search/grGIJIdWXES2CuQIK0IynQ/projectdetails/10518839

The successful post-doc candidates will work in the Ismagilov Lab at the California Institute of Technology to improve understanding of how the mucosal microbiota of the small intestine may drive variation in the clinical phenotype of celiac disease in humans, notably disease severity and healing.

Skills required: Strong microbiology and bioinformatics training; creativity; rigorous scientific training in design and interpretation of research; experience performing amplicon and metagenomic shotgun sequencing and analysis; strong record of prior research accomplishments. Candidates eligible for independent postdoctoral fellowships are encouraged to apply.

Candidates should send their CV and a brief statement of their qualifications and research aspirations to [email protected].

Hiring Range
$64,480.00 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our benefits and who is eligible.

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Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. For more information about "EEO is the Law," click here: EEO IS THE LAW.


Postdoc to work on "Biophysics of the Gut" projects – Ismagilov Lab

The Ismagilov Lab at the California Institute of Technology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in the area of "biophysics of the gut." These collaborative projects aim to study the biophysical mechanisms by which polymers (e.g., dietary fibers) impact gut physiology and the microbiome.

For previous work in this research area, please see the following publications from our lab: [doi: 10.1039/C9SM00791A], [doi: 10.1073/pnas.1602789113], [doi: 10.7554/eLife.40387.001], [doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b004420].

Skills required: Creativity; rigorous scientific training in design and interpretation of research; strong record of prior research accomplishments. The ideal candidate will have both experimental and conceptual expertise in Soft Matter (e.g., colloids, polymers, and hydrogels). Experience in one or more of gut physiology, animal models, and microbiology would be ideal but is not required. Candidates eligible for independent postdoctoral fellowships are encouraged to apply.

Candidates should send their CV and a brief statement of their qualifications and research aspirations to [email protected].

Hiring Range
$64,480.00 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our benefits and who is eligible.

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Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. For more information about "EEO is the Law," click here: EEO IS THE LAW.


Demirer Lab Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The laboratory of Gözde Demirer in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow.

The primary goal of the Demirer lab is to train a dynamic, diverse, and talented group of scientists interested in improving the human and planet health through plant genetic engineering. We combine interdisciplinary solutions from chemistry, materials science, plant biology, synthetic biology, and engineering. Like our diverse scientific approaches, we aim to establish a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and supportive lab culture.

More specifically, the Demirer lab develops nano- and biotechnologies to improve plant genetic engineering. In particular, we use carbon and self-assembled protein-based nanoparticles, combined with CRISPR/Cas9 and synthetic biology to engineer plant genomes. We also recently started our work on the rhizosphere engineering, studying complex plant microbiomes and how to engineer them for a more sustainable future with food security.

The postdoctoral fellows will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and engineering. More information about Dr. Gözde Demirer, research in the lab, and lab members can be found on the lab website: https://gdemirer1.wixsite.com/website

Qualifications:

The applicant must have received, or be scheduled to receive, a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, chemistry, bioengineering, biology or other related fields by the start of the appointment. A strong record of research productivity and desire to train students are required. Experience in one or more of the following techniques is a plus, but not required: CRISPR-mediated genome-editing, nanotechnology, plant synthetic biology, protein purification, and imaging.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should email Dr. Gözde Demirer ([email protected]) a CV and a description of past research experience and future research interests. Following an initial screening of these application materials, appropriate candidates will be contacted by email for letters of reference and scheduling an interview. Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Hiring Range

$64,480.00 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our benefits and who is eligible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. For more information about "EEO is the Law," click here: EEO IS THE LAW.


Postdoctoral Positions in Genome Maintenance

Postdoctoral fellow positions are immediately available in the laboratory of Dr. Daniel Semlow at the California Institute of Technology. The Semlow lab is broadly interested in understanding the origins and repair of DNA damage. We are seeking motivated fellows to pursue novel research directions related to 1) the function of DNA epigenetic modifications during the replication stress response and 2) the role of programmed DNA-protein cross-links in genome maintenance (see prior work Nat. Struct. Mol Biol. 2022, 29:451-462; Nature 2019, 567:267-272; Cell 2016, 167:498-511).

Successful candidates will join a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research program focused on generating new insights into the mechanisms of DNA damage tolerance using cutting-edge biochemistry, genomics, microscopy, and mass spectrometry approaches. As a member of the Caltech community, fellows will contribute to an outstanding intellectual environment and enjoy state-of-the-art resources and facilities. Postdocs will also have the opportunity to engage in mentoring and outreach and to access numerous career development opportunities.

Candidates should have a strong background in the life sciences, chemistry, or a related discipline, a record of research productivity, and a desire to implement creative research strategies address critical unanswered questions in the DNA repair field. Interested applicants should send a CV and cover letter describing research interests to Dan Semlow, PhD ([email protected]).

Hiring Range

$64,480.00 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more about our benefits and who is eligible.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. For more information about "EEO is the Law," click here: EEO IS THE LAW.