Department of Molecular Genetics & Cell Biology at The University of Chicago – Mukherjee Lab
Position available for a postdoctoral scholar in the laboratory of Dr. Sampriti Mukherjee. The Mukherjee
Lab investigates how pathogenic and environmental bacteria integrate metabolism and environmental
sensing to survive and thrive. Our research seeks to uncover the fundamental regulatory systems that
enable bacteria to process and reconcile competing physical, chemical, and biological signals in dynamic
environments. By understanding how bacteria interpret unusual environmental cues, such as light,
heme/iron, and nutrient availability, through transcriptional and post-transcriptional control to drive
competitive behaviors in host and microbial ecosystems, we aim to reveal regulatory vulnerabilities that
can be leveraged for novel therapeutic strategies against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
In the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we are defining how sensory inputs including
light, heme/iron, and nutrient state are integrated through regulatory networks to reprogram stress
responses, motility, virulence, and biofilm formation. We have identified a set of conserved, previously
uncharacterized proteins that play key roles in photo sensing and nutrient acquisition, and we are seeking
a motivated postdoctoral scholar to advance this work.
Recent publications from our group:
Migueles-Lozano A, Asp M, Rocha ST, Li J, Fanouraki G, Sun AD, Zhang L, Waldbauer JR, Hong J, Shrivastava A, Yan J,
Mukherjee S. 2025. Regulatory Plasticity and Metabolic Trade-offs Drive Adaptive Evolution of Alternative Flagellar
Configurations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. bioRxiv 2025.07.29.667523; https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.07.29.667523
Winkelman JT, Yarberry E, Winkelman JD, Mukherjee S. 2025. Swarm-seq Reveals Functional Divergence in CsrA Homologs
Across Bacteria. bioRxiv 2025.05.05.652322; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.05.05.652322
Manias D, Winkelman JD, Chen G, Mukherjee S. 2025. A light-induced microprotein triggers regulated intramembrane
proteolysis to promote photo sensing in a pathogenic bacterium.
bioRxiv 2025.04.28.651061; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.28.651061
Chen G, Fanouraki G, Anandhi Rangarajan A, Winkelman BT, Winkelman JT, Waters CM, Mukherjee S. 2024. Combinatorial
control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development by quorum-sensing and nutrient-sensing regulators. mSystems.
9(9):e0037224. doi: 10.1128/msystems.00372-24.
Read more about our projects and publications at https://sampritimukherjeelab.uchicago.edu/
Successful candidates should hold a PhD degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology, or
similar fields. Prior expertise in microbial biochemistry or bacterial cell biology is preferred. Strong
organizational and time management skills are expected, including the ability to prioritize, organize, and
handle multiple assignments simultaneously. Interpersonal and communication skills are required to
interact effectively, tactfully, and discreetly with all internal/external contacts and to develop effective
working relationships. With the supervision of Dr. Mukherjee, applicants will be expected to design and
complete experiments, record results, draft manuscripts and engage with collaborators.
Interested applicants should send a Cover Letter, CV, and phone numbers/emails of three references to
Sampriti Mukherjee (sampriti@uchicago.edu). Compensation in the Biological Sciences Division follows
the NIH NRSA Stipend scale. Additional information on benefits and being a postdoc in the University of
Chicago Biological Sciences Division can be found at bsdpostdoc.uchicago.edu.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national
or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information,
or other protected clas