The position

A NIH-funded postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Center for 
Membrane Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University 
of Texas McGovern Medical School at Houston 
(https://med.uth.edu/bmb/research-centers/center-for-membrane-biology/). In 
collaboration with the group of Dr. John Spudich, the fellow will work in the 
lab of Dr. Lei Zheng to study the structure of channelrhodopsin proteins using 
X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM approaches. Channelrhodopsin proteins have 
become extremely powerful tools in optogenetic studies. The candidate will have 
an opportunity to work with new channelrhodopsin proteins recently identified 
in Dr. Spudich’s lab to study the molecular mechanisms of their novel ion 
conductivity and light-induced channel gating. See below link for project info: 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26113638 . The lab is located in the Texas 
Medical Center, the largest medical campus in the world, with great resources 
and environment for biomedical research. Houston is the 4th populous city in 
the United States and is highly international and dynamic.

The candidate

Qualified candidates should have a recent Ph.D. degree and a solid and 
documented background in structural biology, biochemistry and/or biophysics. 
Experience with membrane protein is a big advantage.  A successful candidate is 
expected to be highly skilled and self-motivated and is willing to work in a 
collaborative environment.

Interested candidates should send a CV, one page research experience summary 
and contact information for three references to [email protected]. Salary 
will compensate based on NIH standard and candidate’s experience. Starting date 
is negotiable.




Lei Zheng, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Center for Membrane Biology
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Texas McGovern Medical School
6431 Fannin Street, MSB 6.218 (office), 6.408 (lab)
Houston, TX 77030
Tel: 713-500-6083 (office), -7451 (lab)

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