Research Postdoctoral Fellow - Sgourakis Lab

Under the direction/guidance of a mentor (principal investigator), assumes responsibility for a specific, on-going research project. The experience will serve to extend, refine and enhance skills necessary for professional and career development, and will enable the individual to broaden his/her scientific background by acquiring new research capabilities. It is expected that this individual will conduct independent scholarly research, and will contribute directly to the overall research goals of the project and the research group.

This role will be expected to participate in project planning, recording and interpretation/evaluation of data, and communication of results. This position will also be expected to acquire technical, lab management, and manuscript/grant writing skills; and participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentations at national meetings. This role also may be required to supervise junior lab members, develop new methods and protocols for research, and assist with the development of other research projects in the lab.

Structural Immunology & Protein Engineering

Sgourakis Lab, Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia / Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania.

The Sgourakis Lab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our NIH-funded research program studying the structural basis of small-molecule and peptide recognition by MHC-I and MHC-I-related proteins (MR1), and their interactions with molecular chaperones and T cell receptors.

About the Lab

Our lab uses an integrative structural biology approach – combining solution NMR spectroscopy, protein engineering, biophysics, and computational modeling – to understand how immune receptors recognize diverse ligands and signal cellular states. Recent work from the lab includes the development of miniaturized, native-like protein platforms (e.g., SMART-MR1) that expand the toolkit available for studying antigen presentation and TCR recognition by NMR and structural methods.

Position Overview

This position will focus on applying and extending our recombinant protein engineering and solution NMR platforms to characterize ligand- and chaperone-dependent conformational dynamics of MR1 and related receptors. Responsibilities will include: • Recombinant protein expression, in vitro refolding, and biophysical characterization (DSF, SEC, ITC, SPR, fluorescence polarization) of MHC-I/MR1 constructs • Solution NMR sample preparation, isotopic labeling, and data acquisition (backbone and methyl-based experiments) • Collaborative structural and mechanistic studies of chaperone-mediated ligand exchange • Manuscript preparation and contribution to grant-funded research objectives

What you will do

• Conduct independent scholarly research and develop new methods and protocols
• Participate in project planning, recording and evaluation of data
• Acquire technical, lab management and grant writing skills
• Participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions and presentation at national meetings
• Supervise junior lab members
• Assist with other research projects

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Immunology, or a related field • Hands-on experience with recombinant protein expression/purification and biophysical assays Preferred

• Experience with solution NMR (sample preparation and/or data analysis) strongly preferred

• Strong record of scientific writing and communication, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment

Environment

The lab is based in the Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine at CHOP, with primary faculty appointment in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania. Trainees have access to state-of-the-art NMR (600/800 MHz), biophysics, and cryo-EM facilities, and close collaborations across CHOP and Penn in structural biology, immunology, and cell and gene therapy

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to wear a respiratory device