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The Goulding Lab at UC Irvine, in collaboration with the Hayes Lab at UC Santa Barbara, is seeking a postdoctoral scholar with expertise in cryo-electron microscopy to investigate the molecular mechanisms of bacterial competition. Bacteria use contact-dependent and secreted systems to deliver toxins to neighboring cells and to defend themselves against these attacks and to invade host cells. This project will use single-particle cryo-EM to determine structures of the effector, immunity, and delivery complexes involved, revealing how they assemble, how they are recognized and transported, and how immunity neutralizes them. The position suits a structural biologist who wants to work at the interface of structure, microbiology, and biochemistry, with the aim of turning high-resolution structures into mechanistic understanding.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare, screen, and optimize cryo-EM grids and collect and process high-resolution single-particle datasets
• Build and refine atomic models and validate them with biochemical and genetic approaches
• Express and purify recombinant proteins and protein complexes, including challenging targets such as membrane-associated assemblies
• Work closely with both labs, including exchange of materials with UC Santa Barbara
• Present results at lab meetings, conferences, and in peer-reviewed publications
• Help mentor graduate and undergraduate students

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field (or in the final stages of completing one)
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with cryo-EM, from sample preparation through data collection, processing, and model building
• Proficiency with standard processing software (e.g., RELION, cryoSPARC) and model-building tools (e.g., Coot, Phenix)
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification
• A strong publication record, or manuscripts in preparation, appropriate to career stage
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

The initial appointment is for two years. Salary follows the UC postdoctoral salary scale and is commensurate with experience, with full UC benefits. The anticipated start date is Jan 2027 and it is negotiable.

To apply, please submit a cover letter describing your research experience and interest in the project, a CV, and the contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin Nov 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

The University of California, Irvine campus is located on the beautiful Southern Californian coast-line approximately five miles from vibrant Newport Beach and Crystal Cove. It is also approximately 40 miles from both Los Angeles and San Diego. The surrounding areas offer affordable rental housing with a short walk/ride to campus, the beach and nightlife.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.
  

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.