http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science
Postdoc in Structural Biology / Cryo-EM : Onna-son, Japan
Postdoctoral position in Structural Biology – Molecular Cryo-Electron Microscopy Unit
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) will become a model for change in education and research with the best international graduate students, working side by side with world-class faculty in modern well-equipped laboratories. Beautifully situated on the island of Okinawa, OIST relies on a cross-disciplinary approach, with an emphasis on creativity and exchange, to offer unique, individualized graduate training. OIST is a university with no departments, eliminating artificial barriers between people working in different fields, but many nationalities, with students and faculty being attracted from all over the world. Concentrating initially on Neuroscience, Molecular Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Environmental and Ecological Sciences and Physical Sciences, OIST is bringing some of the best brains in the world to Okinawa to transform the way science and education is done in the global academic world.
LOCATION:
1919‐1 Tancha, Onna‐son, Okinawa, Japan 904-0495
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Our dynamic international team is expanding and we are seeking an enthusiastic researcher with strong background in molecular structure modeling and computation to maintain and improve our existing software infrastructure and assist with user training. The successful candidate will carry out his/her own independent projects and help train lab members in methods of image processing, model building , refinement , validation and visualization.
Cryo-EM is well on its way to realize its promise to rival structural data generated by x-ray crystallography. Since the single particle cryo-EM technique does not rely on crystallization and requires only small amounts of protein, many highly relevant biological structures are within reach that have so far resisted crystallization (e.g. membrane proteins and macromolecular complexes). The ideal candidate would transition from a background in 2D or 3D crystallography to single particle cryo-EM and help contribute to improving the currently under-developed standards in the field of cryo-EM (e.g. refinement of cryo-EM datasets containing complete structure factors, phasing of x-ray data with EM envelopes). The lab is set up to allow crystallization and structure determination by x-ray diffraction (with access to in-house x-raysource and the Spring-8 synchrotron), but the main emphasis lies upon cryo-EM.
Our unit shares exclusive access to an FEI Titan Krios S/TEM equipped with direct electron detector and energy filter. The facility also includes a Titan eTEM, vitrobot, high pressure freezer, cryo microtome, serial blockface cryo-FIB/SEM, 100keV screening TEM, and will be expanded further. We maintain software contained in the sbgrid distribution as well as SerialEM, Leginon/Appion which run on the labs dedicatedGPU-accelerated workstations and on the 5000-core OIST HPC cluster. The main focus of the lab is on high resolution single particle cryo-EM of large macromolecular assemblies with an emphasis on virology and ion channels. https://groups.oist.jp/mcemu
QUALIFICATIONS:
(Required)
Extensive experience in protein structure modeling and refinement
Background in scientific computing, programming and scripting
Good English language skills are essential
(Preferred)
Experience with electron microscopy
Wetlab experience: molecular biology, protein expression and purification
Experience with low-resolution structure refinement of crystallographic data sets
Previous exposure to image processing software
Japanese citizens are highly encouraged to apply (not a requirement)
TERM:
Full-time, fixed term appointment for 2 years contract initially with 3 month probationary period. This contract may be renewed and has a potential for permanent employment
STARTING DATE:
As early as possible; Target date: February 1st 2014
WORKING HOURS:
09:00-17:30
COMPENSATION:
In accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulation.
BENEFITS:
Annual paid leave, summer holidays, Private School Mutual Aid, commuting allowances and relocation allowances.
SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS:
Curriculum vitae
Summary of Research interests adn experience
Names of three referees
APPLICATION DUE:
Applications deadline will continue until the position is filled.
EMAIL ADDRESS:
mcmu#oist.jp (Please replace # with @ before using this email address)
DECLARATION:
OIST is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
nformation provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications.
Further details about the Institute can be viewed on our website (www.oist.jp)…