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Open Postdoctoral position, faculty mentor Tino Pleiner

Important Info

Faculty Sponsor (Last, First Name): 
Pleiner, Tino
Stanford Departments and Centers: 
Molecular & Cellular Phys
Postdoc Appointment Term: 
One year, with option for multi-year extension
Appointment Start Date: 
As soon as possible
Group or Departmental Website: 
https://www.pleinerlab.org/
How to Submit Application Materials: 

email pleiner@stanford.edu

Does this position pay above the required minimum?: 
No. The expected base pay for this position is the Stanford University required minimum for all postdoctoral scholars appointed through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. The FY24 minimum is $71,650.

We are seeking a creative, passionate and independent thinker to join us as postdoc. Applications are encouraged from talented and motivated individuals who have a Ph.D. or are nearing completion of their Ph.D. with experience in cell biology, structural biochemistry and/or protein engineering. Top candidates will have a strong track record of research productivity, excellent communication skills, enthusiasm for basic research and a willingness to work as a leading part of a team with other lab members.
 
The Pleiner lab studies the pathways and molecular machines that regulate cellular protein homeostasis. A particular focus of the lab is to understand how human cells make and quality control multi-pass membrane proteins like transporters, receptors and ion channels that are essential for cellular physiology. Membrane proteins are the predominant targets of most modern drugs and understanding how membrane proteins biosynthesis is regulated to prevent misfolding and degradation is therefore of immediate biomedical relevance. We use an interdisciplinary approach to study membrane protein homeostasis by combining molecular & cell biology, structural protein biochemistry and protein engineering. In parallel the lab will develop novel methods and reagents (e.g. nanobodies) to both study and modulate protein quality control pathways that regulate cellular protein folding and degradation in health and disease conditions (e.g. cancer, neurodegeneration and aging).
 
Our lab will be an inclusive space that fosters learning & curiosity, promotes team work and values mentorship to drive an innovative research program that pushes the boundaries of molecular biology.
 
The successful candidate will have access to close mentorship and will shape the make-up of a new lab. The lab has fantastic resources and is surrounded by a world-class collaborative scientific environment. Outside of the lab, life in the sunny Bay area offers spectacular culinary, cultural, and outdoor recreational opportunities.
 
The following project requires your expertise:
Mechanistic analysis of membrane protein biogenesis. Trapping biogenesis intermediates and super-complexes of biogenesis factors for structural analysis. Complementary functional analysis using in vitro and in cell reporter assays.
Preferred expertise: structural biology (cryo-EM data collection and data analysis), biochemistry (protein expression and purification in bacteria / mammalian cells), as well as general molecular biology and cell biology techniques.

Required Qualifications: 
  • A doctoral degree
  • Expertise in structural biology (ideally cryo-EM) and protein biochemistry
  • strong track record of research productivity
  • excellent communication skills (fluency in english)
  • enthusiasm for basic research
Required Application Materials: 

Please include the following items in one PDF as part of your application via email to Tino:

  • A cover letter including a summary of your research experience, your career goals, and how you think you could contribute to the ongoing research in our lab.
  • Your curriculum vitae including a list of publications with brief (2-3 sentence) descriptions of your contributions to your published work.
  • Names and contact information for 3 references.

 

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