The Ulijasz lab (www.ulijaszlab.com), Loyola University Chicago Department of Microbiology and Immunology, is recruiting a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to work on an NIH funded project in the area of pneumococcal molecular microbiology. Our lab researches molecular mechanisms of bacterial signal transduction/sensors in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. To accomplish this we and our collaborators use a holistic and innovative array of methods, including high-throughput screens and sequencing, protein biochemistry/molecular biology, structural biology, super resolution microscopy and animal infections to reveal novel proteins and pathways that contribute to microbial disease.
The Ulijasz lab has discovered a conserved transcription factor in Gram-positive bacteria that is critical for pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) infection, yet whose more global role remains enigmatic. We have taken a multifaceted approach, combining bacterial genetics, infection and whole animal imaging, structural and molecular biology to uncover its mechanistic role in S. pneumoniae and other Gram-positives such as Staphylococcus aureus.
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related field. The ideal postdoctoral candidate will have a skill set that is largely molecular, including but not limited to bacterial genetics (e.g. cloning techniques), protein expression and purification and associated biochemical analyses such as examination of protein-DNA interactions using various methodologies. In addition to researching the function of the multidomain transcription factor, we also seek to further explore its interacting (protein) partners we have thus far identified, including cellular metabolite(s) that we now understand influences its function. Due to the conserved nature of this factor and its now defined interactome, we anticipate the applicant to also work with other important Gram-positive pathogens to better define its functional and mechanistic roles more ubiquitously. Other skills that would be of use, but are not required, include (super resolution) microscopy/FRET, knowledge of carrying out culturing macrophages) and flow cytometry techniques.
The Ulijasz lab is located at Loyola University Chicago in the western Chicago suburbs. Located in the midwestern United States in the state of Illinois. Chicago is the 3th largest city in the US, and home to several national sports teams, a top-rated and ethnically diverse restaurant scene and world renowned entertainment. Housing is affordable and the city/surrounding areas offer accessible and safe public transit around the city.
The postdoctoral salary meets the NIH NRSA standards and is based on qualifications and experience: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-049.html. Interested candidates should send an application packet, including all the following by email to aulijasz@luc.edu.
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Cover letter indicating current and future research interests;
2. Expected starting date
3. Curriculum vitae;
4. Names and contact information for 3 references