Translational Control Postdoctoral Researcher

Job Title: Translational Control Postdoctoral Researcher

Job Number: 77160

Location: Amherst, US

Job Description

Two positions are available in the SUNY at Buffalo Department of Biological Sciences to work in the lab of Sarah Walker. The Walker lab has recently identified posttranslational modifications regulating activity of eIF4A, the DEAD-box RNA helicase required for mRNA association with ribosomes in all eukaryotic cells, and linked these events to regulation of translation and RNA granule levels in yeast. We also identified a correlation between reduced eIF4B levels and cancer patient survival, and went on to show that targeted reduction of eIF4B levels in murine breast cancer cells led to metastatic behavior and decreased survival in mice. Current projects in the lab aim to follow up on these results and others, and the PI welcomes discussion of additional project ideas. The research is supported by NIH and DOD grants, and employs a variety of techniques, including reconstituted and cellular biochemical assays, microscopy, transcriptome analyses, transcriptome-wide ribosome profiling, and high-throughput cell-sorting assays for translation initiation factor activities. We work in yeast and mammalian cell models and collaborate with researchers that perform complementary experiments in mice and using patient samples.

The researcher will have opportunities to collaborate with other genetics, proteomics, structural/biophysics, immunology, and oncology researchers to gain insights tying basic molecular mechanisms to aspects of human health.

She/he/they should be respectful of others and contribute to and/or be excited about working with a team of researchers from diverse backgrounds.

Please apply at the UB Jobs Link for this position: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/49438.

Outstanding Benefits Package

Working at UB comes with benefits that exceed salary alone. There are personal rewards including comprehensive health and retirement plan options. We also focus on creating and sustaining a healthy mix of work, personal and academic pursuit – all in an effort to support your work-life effectiveness. Visit our benefits website to learn about our benefit packages.

About The University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo (UB) #ubuffalo is one of America’s leading public research universities and a flagship of the State University of New York system, recognized for our excellence and our impact. UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence. Our research, creative activity and people positively impact the world. Like the city we call home, UB is distinguished by a culture of resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming that enables us to reach others every day. Visit our website to learn more about the University at Buffalo.

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, the Research Foundation will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin and veteran or disability status.

Job duties

o          Planning and performing experiments, including reading papers and making protocols; preparing proteins, ribosomes, and other reagents as needed; growing cells; analyzing ribosome, protein, RNA levels and association with translation factors
o          Data analysis
o          Read and write drafts of scientific articles
o          Present work routinely at lab meetings, the Buffalo RNA Interest Group, and regional and national/international conferences
o          Provide some in lab supervision/training to a lab technician and students

Minimum qualifications: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biology (or cell, molecular, micro), Chemistry, Immunology, Genetics, or related fields and relevant laboratory experience. She/he/they should have familiarity with subject matter and techniques used in the lab and excitement about the projects.

Preferred qualifications:

The ideal applicant would have experience in one or more of the following areas.

o          RNA and protein biochemistry, such as purifying proteins, synthesizing RNAs, performing fluorescence assays, running gels and western blots
o          Generation of libraries for illumina and/or Nanopore sequencing and computational skills for alignments, counting, and further analysis of large sequencing datasets
o          Experience with flow cytometry or other high-throughput screens.

Application Deadline: 2024-10-01