Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate
Nashville, United States
Application deadline: 31 Mar 2026
Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate – Structural Biology & DNP-Enhanced Crystallography
Crystallization Lab, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
The Crystallization Lab at Meharry Medical College seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate to join a collaborative, multi-institutional project developing paramagnetic sample preparation protocols for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP)-enhanced structural analysis of protein crystals.
The successful candidate will work under the direction of established investigators in Nashville and at Oak Ridge National Labs. Responsibilities include:
- Developing and optimizing protocols for incorporating paramagnetic reagents (e.g., TEMPO-based radicals) into protein crystals via soaking, co-crystallization, and site-specific labeling strategies
- Protein expression, purification, and crystallization of model systems and biomedically relevant targets
- X-ray diffraction screening and data collection, including remote access at SSRL
- Mentoring undergraduate and graduate student trainees
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field (postdoc) or M.S./Ph.D. with relevant experience (research associate)
- Hands-on experience with protein crystallography, including crystal growth and optimization
- Experience with protein expression and purification (bacterial and/or eukaryotic systems)
- Familiarity with X-ray diffraction data collection and processing (CCP4 suite, PHENIX, or equivalent)
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work across multiple collaborative teams
Preferred
- Experience with paramagnetic reagents, fragment soaking, or related crystal manipulation techniques
- Familiarity with DNP-NMR, EPR, or solid-state NMR methods
- Interest in or experience with training/mentoring students
- Experience with automated or remote synchrotron data collection
To Apply
Send cover letter, CV and contact information for three references to Jamaine Davis at Jamaine.davis@belmont.edu and Minu Chaudhuri (mchaudhuri@mmc.edu).
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
