The laboratory of Dr. Quentin Vicens in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston https://www.uh.edu/nsm/biology-biochemistry/ is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study RNA regulatory mechanisms associated with the innate immune response. The Vicens lab is part of the Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling (CNRCS, https://www.uh.edu/nsm/cnrcs/) and collaborates with the UH Sequencing & Gene Editing Core https://seqnedit.nsm.uh.edu/. As such, the lab offers a vibrant and collaborative research environment.

The postdoctoral scientist will work on developing structural approaches to elucidate the structures of complexes containing proteins and Z-RNA. This position will use molecular biology, cryo-electron microscopy (in collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder Biochemistry Department's Krios Electron Microscopy facility), and NMR (in collaboration with Dr. Beat Vögeli at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus). Experience in some of these areas is preferred. Other possible avenues of research include biochemistry and genomics approaches. The candidate would be based at the University of Houston but would have the opportunity to work on site at the University of Colorado for relevant experiments. Also, the postdoctoral scientist would have the opportunity to mentor junior scientists in these labs, at both graduate and undergraduate levels. The position is funded for 4 years, but we encourage applications to postdoctoral fellowships and transition awards.

The ideal postdoctoral candidate has a PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject and expertise in RNA/RNP and structural biology. The environment will support learning and development of new approaches, which may lead to exploring new biological topics and starting new collaborations. The candidate has excellent interpersonal and scientific communication skills.

All postdoctoral scientists at the University of Houston are part of the university-wide membership to the National Postdoctoral Association, offered through the Office of Faculty Engagement and Development https://uh.edu/provost/faculty/current/fed/. This opens the possibility to join various career development sessions. The Division of Research https://uh.edu/research/ also offers development workshops.

The University of Houston is proudly designated as a Hispanic-serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution. The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, the University prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The University of Houston is a member of the Gulf Coast Consortia (https://www.gulfcoastconsortia.org/), which support research, training, events and collaborations with nearby institutions, especially at the Texas Medical Center (https://www.tmc.edu/), such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, UTHealth Houston, Texas A&M Health Science Center, and Houston Methodist Hospital. This offers a collaborative environment for basic and clinical scientists, and an expanding biotech community, in RNA research and related fields.

Houston offers a lively cultural scene, with world-class museums and performing art centers, and serves as a gateway to various activities in the area, such as canoeing in bayous, wildlife watching in local state parks, or just spending a day at a local beach.

Email Dr. Vicens at [email protected] with a cover letter and a curriculum vitae or to ask any questions.