Postdoctoral Scientist - Lincoln Lab

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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology’s deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.

About the Role: 

We are seeking Postdoctoral Scientists withhybridexpertise spanning fluorescent dye development, spectroscopy, chemical biology,andsuper-resolution microscopyto join the Lincoln Lab.In this role you will help design and characterize the next generation of fluorophores to tackle multimodal, whole-organism, and/or super-resolution imaging challenges.Candidates with an excellent record of research achievement and experience in air and/or light sensitive chemical synthesis methods, photochemistry, spectroscopy, or in vitro/in vivo fluorescence imaging are particularly encouraged to apply. Exposure and training inadditional techniques, including single molecule imaging, immunofluorescence, super-resolution techniques, as well ascryo-electron tomography and related disciplines, may berequired over the course of these projects. 

About the Lab: 

With a research background grounded inphotophysics, organic chemistry, chemical biology, and high-resolution optics, our lab uses experimental photochemistry,computationalmodelling, and physical chemistry to engineer fluorophores and molecular tools to tackle the challenges at the forefront of fluorescence microscopy. As a part of theTools@HHMI initiativeatJanelia,we striveto challenge the boundaries of fluorophore/probe development for dynamic biological imaging that willrevolutionizethe imaging projectsduringthe next chapter ofJanelia’sresearchprogram. We collaborate closely with other groups inTools@HHMI and the largerJanelia community, including chemists, protein engineers,neuroscientists, andmicroscopists to achievemutual goals.For more information about the Lincoln lab, please visit:Lincoln Lab | Janelia Research Campus

In addition, the HHMIJanelia Research Campus provides a highly collaborative, resource-rich environment for our work. 

What We Provide: 

• A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits. 

• Access toJanelia’s facilities and engineering support for custom-hardware, scientific computing, and fluorescence microscopy. 

• A highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research campus with close ties to labs working acrosschemistry, protein design, microscopy development, and neuroscience.  

• One-on-one mentorship. 

• Support to attend and present at scientific conferences. 

• Amenities that enhance work-life balance such as on-site childcare, free gyms, available on-campus housing, social and dining spaces, and convenient shuttle bus service toJanelia from the Washington D.C. metro area. 

What You'll Do: 

• Develop andoptimize multistep synthetic routes for new small moleculefluorophores and bioactive ligands for multimodal microscopy applications. 

• Apply drug-discovery models, molecular docking simulations, and quantum mechanical calculations to guide molecular design andoptimize target engagement, bioavailability, and imaging performance. 

• Develop high throughput spectroscopic assays, and single molecule methods to evaluate key properties, including spectral profiles,photostability, and bioavailability.  

• Evaluate dye performance in live and fixed-cell imaging, includingwidefield, confocal and super-resolution methods. 

• Establish structure–property relationships between molecular design and performance. 

• Collaborate with other members ofTools@HHMI and the broaderJanelia community to apply best-performinglabelsto whole-organism imagingchallenges. 

• Pursue creative research ideas thatleverage yourprevious experience and align with your current and future scientific interests. 

What You Bring: 

• Ph.D. inchemistry,physics, or related fields in the physical orlifesciences. 

• A hybrid background inphotochemistryand/or chemical biology with a strong grounding in organicchemistry 

• Hands-on experience performing organic synthesis of fluorophores and light-sensitive substances 

• Experience workingwith computational chemistry software packages including Gaussian and Orca 

• Additional skills influorescence and absorptionspectroscopy, assay development, molecular docking,or fluorescence microscopy is an asset 

• Passion and perseverance to carry out high impact discovery science 

• Willingness to work collaboratively in a small lab atmosphere 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports and contribute to publications 

Physical Requirements

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation:

A Postdoc 00 (0 to 1 year research experience after obtaining a PhD) is compensated at a rate of $74,200.00 annually at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.

Pay Type:

Annual

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers.

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Compensation and Benefits

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