Postdoctoral Position at The Scripps Research Institute

Postdoctoral training opportunities are available in the Asturias group at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA. Our research is focused on the use of macromolecular electron microscopy (EM) to characterize the structure and conformational dynamics of macromolecular assemblies involved in transcription and chromatin structure regulation.
http://www.scripps.edu/cb/asturias/index.php?page=home. Our aim is to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie these critical cellular processes by combining structural, biochemical, and functional analyses. Recent examples of our work can be found in the following publications:

1. Cai, G., Imasaki, T., Yamada, K., Cardelli, F., Takagi, Y. and Asturias, F.J. 2010. Mediator Head module Structure and Functional Interactions. Nat Struct Mol Biol In press.
2. Cai, G., Imasaki, T., Takagi, Y. and Asturias, F.J. 2009. Mediator structural conservation and implications for the regulation mechanism. Structure 17:559-567.
3. Brignole, E.J., Smith, S., and Asturias, F.J. 2009. Conformational Flexibility of Metazoan Fatty Acid Synthase Enables Catalysis. Nat Struct Mol Biol 16:190-197.
4. Chaban, Y.L., Ezeokonkwo, C., Chung, W.H., Zhang, F., Kornberg, R.D., Maier-Davis, B., Lorch, Y., and Asturias, F.J. 2008. Structure of a RSC-Nucleosome Complex and Insights into Chromatin Remodeling. Nat Struct Mol Biol 15:1272-1277.

Working with us would provide state-of-the-art training in macromolecular EM and an opportunity for in-depth examination of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the regulation of gene expression. Candidates interested in our research and with previous experience in structural, molecular, or chemical biology are encouraged to apply.