Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate

Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate (Cogan Lab)

Job Code:  098227

The Cogan Laboratory at the University of Southern California (USC) Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the mechanisms of modular polyketide and nonribosomal peptide biosynthesis. The selected individual will use biochemical and biophysical techniques, including single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), to understand the relationships between megasynthase structure and catalysis. The work entails additional opportunities to explore the biosynthesis and enzymology of as-yet undiscovered natural products.

Available Instrumentation: USC maintains a variety of research core facilities, including a recently established Cryo-EM Facility at the Core Center of Excellence in Nano Imaging (CNI). Cryo-EM resources include:

1. Thermo Scientific Titan Krios G3i equipped with a GIF Quantum energy filter and K3 detector

2. Thermo Scientific Glacios equipped with a Falcon 4 detector

3. Thermo Scientific Vitrobot in a humidity-controlled room

4. Essential tools for cryo-TEM grid preparation and storage

High-performance computing resources for cryo-EM data handling/processing (e.g., Relion and cryoSPARC) are provided by USC's Center for Advanced Research Computing.

Qualifications: Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related field. All qualified candidates will be considered, although preference will be given to those with experience in protein purification, structural biology, and molecular biology.

Interested candidates should send their CV and a list of three references to Dillon Cogan at dcogan@usc.edu.

The annual salary range for this position is $66,737 - $67,500.  When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Qualifications: Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, Chemical Biology, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related field. All qualified candidates will be considered, although preference will be given to those with experience in protein purification, structural biology, and molecular biology.