Postdoctoral positions are available to study the changing structure and signaling of adhesions, podosomes and other dynamic organelles. We develop proteins and small molecules that reveal and control cell function during microscopy of living cells and tissues. Our current focus is on macrophages and the cancer microenvironment, synthetic biology to respond to cell morphology, and the signaling circuits described below.

• Engineer proteins to visualize and control the conformation of individual molecules in living cells. Thereby explore the dynamics of adhesion complexes in metastasis and immune function. 
  
  
• Develop novel biosensors and optogenetic protein analogs to study the spatio-temporal dynamics of GTPase and kinase signaling. Complex, nonlinear regulatory circuits will be dissected using image analysis and modeling approaches developed with our collaborator Gaudenz Danuser (UTSW). This is potentially part of a new national imaging center bridging three laboratories. Danuser Lab.
  
  
• Harness organic chemistry to develop novel biosensors for single molecule imaging in live cells. These will be based on environment-sensing dyes and methods to covalently label proteins in vivo. This project can provide a platform for organic and physical organic chemists to apply and extend their knowledge, working in protein engineering and microscopy.  
  
  
• We seek staff members to collaborate with users applying molecular imaging tools. Experience with cutting edge microscopy and any of the following would be helpful:  advanced microscopes / microscope automation and alignment / biosensors / chemogenetics / optogenetics / image analysis / lasers / optics. Positions at the BS or PhD level are available. 

The University of North Carolina is a multidimensional research center with over $510 million in federal funding, making us the 11th largest research university in the United States. Our Pharmacology department was ranked #2 in the world for “Best Global Universities for Pharmacology & Toxicology”, and we are proud of the Nobel prizes awarded to our science faculty in 2015 and 2019. 

If you are interested in any of these positions, please send a CV and brief description of career and research goals to khahn@med.unc.edu.

UNC, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas