A postdoctoral position for a highly motivated candidate is available in the Carman laboratory at the Rutgers Center for Lipid Research. The lab is located in the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, & Health building on the Cook Campus in New Brunswick, NJ, USA. The lab is recognized for its work on the biochemical and molecular characterization of lipid metabolism/signaling using yeast as a model system.
The research will focus on the Nem1-Spo7/Pah1 axis, a phosphatase cascade that regulates whether the lipid precursor phosphatidic acid (PA) is used for the synthesis of membrane phospholipids or the storage lipid triacylglycerol. The goal is to identify structural determinants of Pah1, Nem1, and Spo7 for the protein-membrane and protein-protein interactions required for the PA phosphatase function of catalyzing the dephosphorylation of PA to produce diacylglycerol. The ultimate goal is to identify effector molecules to ameliorate lipid-based diseases such as obesity and lipodystrophy.
The postdoc will gain research experience in the areas of biochemistry, cell biology, lipidology, and molecular genetics by studying the structural determinants of PA phosphatase for its lipid and protein interactions. Research findings will be published in high quality journals, along with opportunities to present work at national and international meetings. Additionally, the postdoc will have opportunities to gain teaching experience in laboratory and/or classroom settings, and interact with bright and friendly people.
The position requires a Ph.D. in biochemistry/molecular biology or related discipline. The applicant must be fluent in written and spoken English. Salary is consistent with NIH guidelines with annual reappointments for a maximum of 5 years.
Additional information about the Carman laboratory is found at http://foodsci.rutgers.edu/faculty/carman/index.html. Please go to http://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/269408 and submit a cover letter with career objectives, a CV, and the email addresses of three references.