Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in the Stock Lab for the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM) within Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS).
The primary purpose of the Postdoctoral Associate is to perform investigations on regulation of utilization of dietary fiber and host glycans by Hybrid Two-Component System (HTCS) transcription factors in Bacteroides. Projects include identifying the genes regulated by each of the 32 different HTCS transcription factors in B. thetaiotaomicron; identifying regulatory networks for preferential utilization of different glycans; understanding mechanisms for coordinated expression of multiple sets of genes required for utilization of different carbohydrates found within a single fiber; and structural characterization of HTCS proteins. The research will involve both cellular and in vitro studies. Molecular biology and biochemistry skills are required. Experience with microbiology (cell culture and molecular genetics), transcriptomics, protein expression and purification, and familiarity with structural analysis are advantageous. A commitment to conducting rigorous and reproducible research and documenting experimental results is essential. In addition to experimental research and contributions to maintaining the laboratory, the Postdoctoral Associate will be expected to prepare manuscripts for publication, present research at local and national meetings, and contribute to grant applications and reporting. The Postdoctoral Associate will be expected to collaborate effectively with other members of the laboratory and will have an opportunity to guide undergraduate researchers. The ability to communicate effectively with the Principal Investigator and other laboratory members is essential.
Among the key duties of this position are the following:
- Perform experimental research on regulation of gene expression by Hybrid-Two-Component Systems (HTCSs) in Bacteroides.
- Use molecular biology and molecular genetic techniques to engineer plasmids and strains to investigate regulation of gene expression by HTCSs.
- Conduct genomic scale analyses of gene regulation in Bacteroides.
- Develop expression systems and purification protocols for production of high-quality HTCS proteins and domain constructs for biochemical and structural analyses.
- Maintain detailed, organized and accessible records of experimental work (includes: design, protocols, results, and conclusions).
- Design, conduct, and interpret experiments with a high degree of independence. Contribute to developing new directions of investigations, informed by experimental results and knowledge of the field.
- Become familiar with the field of HTCSs, stay abreast of new developments in the carbohydrate utilization field and advances in investigations of Bacteroides through reading literature.
- Present research progress at regularly scheduled laboratory group meetings and keep the Principal Investigator informed of research activities on a regular basis.