St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is seeking highly motivated candidates to join the Department of Structural Biology as a postdoctoral fellow, to drive interdisciplinary research initiatives in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Blanchard. The laboratory utilizes a range of quantitative biophysical and photophysical methods, as well as structural techniques, to explore clinically important biological systems, such as ribosome-catalyzed protein synthesis, membrane protein transport/signaling, and host-virus interactions, at the single-molecule scale. An additional focus of the lab is the development, synthesis, and characterization of photostabilized organic fluorophores, specifically suited for advanced single-molecule imaging. These pursuits involve close collaboration with our state-of-the-art Single-Molecule Imaging Center, which operates several fluorescence imaging technologies, including custom-built total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) and confocal time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) microscopes. We are looking for a candidate to fill any of a number of roles in our highly interdisciplinary, collaborative environment, ranging from single-molecule fluorescence imaging of cells and biomolecules to photophysically-guided development of organic fluorophores. This requires a creative, team-oriented individual with strong leadership skills who is comfortable pursuing highly impactful scientific advances across a range of biological systems and disciplines.

Experience with quantitative single-molecule biophysical techniques, such as fluorescence imaging/spectroscopy, force spectroscopy, or single-channel electrophysiological recordings are encouraged. The role involves protein and/or nucleic acid biochemistry, including protein expression, purification, and labeling and/or nucleic acid manipulation and purification. Excellent communication skills, in particular the ability to distill, convey and present complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing to people of diverse scientific backgrounds is essential, as is a passion for learning and navigating new research fields.

Publication links:

• Quantifying secondary transport at single-molecule resolution.
• Associating HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein structures with states on the virus observed by smFRET.
• Endogenous rRNA Sequence Variation Can Regulate Stress Response Gene Expression and Phenotype.
• A partially-open inward-facing intermediate conformation of LeuT is associated with Na⁺ release and substrate transport.
• Aminoglycoside interactions and impacts on the eukaryotic ribosome.
• Dynamics of P-type ATPase transport revealed by single-molecule FRET.
• Miscoding-induced stalling of substrate translocation on the bacterial ribosome.
• Single-molecule analysis of ligand efficacy in β₂AR-G-protein activation.
• Electronic tuning of self-healing fluorophores for live-cell and single-molecule imaging.
• Structures of the orthosomycin antibiotics avilamycin and evernimicin in complex with the bacterial 70S ribosome.
• Multiperspective smFRET reveals rate-determining late intermediates of ribosomal translocation.
• Single-molecule imaging of non-equilibrium molecular ensembles on the millisecond timescale.
• Functional Dynamics within the Human Ribosome Regulate the Rate of Active Protein Synthesis.
• Chemically related 4,5-linked aminoglycoside antibiotics drive subunit rotation in opposite directions.
• Transport domain unlocking sets the uptake rate of an aspartate transporter.
• Direct evidence of an elongation factor-Tu/Ts·GTP·Aminoacyl-tRNA quaternary complex.
• Ultra-stable organic fluorophores for single-molecule research.
• Allosteric control of the ribosome by small-molecule antibiotics.
• Cyanine fluorophore derivatives with enhanced photostability.
• Structures of the bacterial ribosome in classical and hybrid states of tRNA binding.
• Substrate-modulated gating dynamics in a Na+-coupled neurotransmitter transporter homologue.

• Assume leadership positions in one or more research initiatives to reveal the mechanistic underpinnings of clinically important biological systems, such as ribosome-catalyzed protein synthesis, membrane protein transport/signaling, and host-virus interactions, with a special emphasis on mammalian systems. These efforts benefit from collaborative interactions with St. Jude’s Protein Technology Center, Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, as well as Cryo-EM, NMR, X-Ray and Mass-spectrometry centers.
• Adeptly learn and utilize appropriate assays to answer specific biological questions.
• Utilize the multiple single-molecule fluorescence instruments within the Single-Molecule Imaging Center including analysis of single-molecule data, model building and statistical analysis.
• Regularly present research plans and findings in a clear, concise manner to both general and specialized scientific audiences.
• Regularly prepare high-quality manuscripts for publication.

• Assist in training and mentoring of graduate students, post-docs and visiting scientists.

COVID-19 vaccine:

As of September 10, 2021, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for all employees, excluding those with an approved medical or religious accommodation, as a condition of employment.

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