Open Positions within CCBM and CCBM Faculty Labs
Seeking scientists, post-docs, graduate students and undergraduate students
Postdoctoral Scholar in Computational Modeling of Biological Systems: Apply
(Posted March 2022) / Flyer
The Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines (CCBM) at UC Merced is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar who will work with CCBM researchers on projects in the broad area of computational modeling of biological systems. The candidate will collaborate with physicists, chemists, bioengineers and materials scientists to advance the center's research agenda; lend computational and modeling expertise to existing projects as well as initiate new collaborations and projects under the auspices of the center; publish their work in reputed peer-reviewed journals; provide mentoring and guidance to graduate and undergraduate collaborators in matters related to computational modeling; and is expected to have grant-writing experience and actively seek extramural funding. Pedagogical opportunities include assisting in the delivery of computational training modules and informal workshops as part of the center's education program and taking part in the outreach activities of the center including summer REU programs and local public school outreach. Flexibility in working arrangements, including a mix of in-person and remote work, can be accommodated. The Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines (CCBM) at UC Merced is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program. Established in 2016 and currently in the second five year Phase II, CCBM’s vision is to be nationally and internationally recognized for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research on functional multi-scale biomolecular and cellular assemblies and to be a model for integrated research, education and outreach. Through focused efforts to encourage participation among underrepresented students from the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, CCBM will develop a pipeline for a highly qualified science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce and produce high-caliber, diverse trainees at all levels who can spur growth in California’s San Joaquin Valley. CCBM brings together more than 30 faculty members from multiple units across campus including bioengineering, physics, chemistry and chemical biology, materials science and engineering, and is led by faculty Co-Directors Victor Muñoz and Ajay Gopinathan.
Basic qualifications - Ph.D. in field such as physics, chemistry, bioengineering, or a related field with thesis work related to computational modeling of biological systems / Additional qualifications - Experience working on computational modeling of biological systems / Preferred qualifications - Strong communication skills and the ability to work with faculty and researchers from multiple disciplines
Two Postdoctoral Positions in Theoretical Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Biophysics (posted 05.25.21)
We invite applications for two postdoctoral positions in theoretical and computational soft condensed matter or biophysics as part of a multidisciplinary, multi-campus effort connected to the recently funded and established UC Consortium on Coronavirus Research. The primary goal of the group is to elucidate the physical mechanisms underlying the assembly of coronaviruses. The work involves a broad range of research topics including polymer physics, elasticity theory, electrostatics, thermodynamics, self-assembly and computational modeling of assembly pathways of finite-sized structures.
The ideal candidates will have prior experience with the development and implementation of computer simulations and/or analytical theory preferably in related areas. One position will be at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UC Riverside working closely with Roya Zandi while another will be at the Department of Physics at UC Merced working with Ajay Gopinathan. The two postdocs will work as a team with other faculty, graduate and undergraduate students in the collaboration and with experimentalists on three campuses to develop theory and numerical simulations of the formation of coronaviruses that will be integrated with the design, analysis, and interpretation of in vitro and in vivo experiments. The position comes with multiple opportunities for professional development and meaningful mentorship, outreach and community engagement.
The successful candidates will have a Ph.D. in physics or related fields with experience in soft-matter theory and computational physics. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Start dates are negotiable.
To apply, candidates should send their application materials, including a CV, a list of publications, and contact information of three references to to roya.zandi@ucr.edu and agopinathan@ucmerced.edu. Women and under-represented minorities are encouraged to apply.
Please feel free to contact either of us with any questions.
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Postdoc Position in Protein Biophysics & Bioengineering Laboratory / Prof. Victor Muñoz (posted 04.27.21)
The Protein Biophysics and Bioengineering Laboratory at the University of California Merced, led by Prof. Victor Muñoz, is looking for self-motivated, creative, enthusiastic and highly qualified postdoctoral scholars that are experts in experimental protein biophysics to work on several ongoing projects involving the application of single-molecule fluorescence (confocal and TIRF) and force (optical tweezers) techniques to the investigation of the mechanisms of protein folding, binding, function and allostery.
The Muñoz group, one of the world leaders in protein folding research, is currently investigating a variety of biological problems related to the conformational dynamics of proteins, including: dissecting the mechanisms of protein folding by resolving the folding transition paths, the analysis of folding coupled to binding of intrinsically disordered proteins, the molecular biophysics of the control of gene expression (how transcription factors track their target genes and partners while surrounded by myriads of conflicting signals), and the design and engineering of protein-based technologies such high-performance fluorescence biosensors and allosteric macromolecular assemblies (more information at http://vmunoz-group.ucmerced.edu/).
The successful candidate will have previous training and established track record in experimental protein biophysics and/or biochemistry/protein chemistry. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to stay abreast of recent publications in the field, carry out research independently, implement and develop research ideas and write research articles. The postdoctoral scholar is also expected to assist with mentoring graduate students and undergraduate students who will work on the project, and to be in charge of properly maintaining the spectroscopic and optical equipment in the lab. Travel to user facilities at the National Laboratories or other UC campuses may be occasionally required. This is a four-year project with appointments being year-to-year based on continuation of funding and satisfactory performance.
Qualifications: Applicants must have obtained a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry or related field. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required. We are seeking highly self-motivated individuals with demonstrated ability to conduct scientific research successfully and work independently. The candidate should have demonstrable experience in at least two, preferably more, of the following areas: 1) cloning, expression and purification of recombinant proteins; 2) protein chemical modification (extrinsic fluorescence labeling and surface immobilization methods) and purification; 3) alignment and data acquisition on custom optical (confocal and TIRF fluorescence microscopes, optical tweezers: Lumicks C-trap); 4) optical instrument development: optics and electronics; 5) advanced computer-based analysis of experimental data using Matlab.
Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales. Positions are available starting July 1, 2021 and will be open until filled. Review of applications will begin immediately. Actual starting dates are negotiable. Interested candidates should send a CV, a statement of research expertise and future research interests, and the names of two potential recommenders to Victor Muñoz at vmunoz3@ucmerced.edu
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Lab: Eva de Alba, Associate Professor, Bioengineering
Position: graduate student in biochemistry and/or biophysics; post-doc
Contact: Dr. Eva de Alba edealbabastarrechea@ucmerced.edu
Check back periodically for updates.
