[ccp4bb] Postdoctoral Position in Structure and Function of GPCRs at Wash. U.

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Postdoctoral Position in Structure and Function of G protein-coupled Opioid Receptors and Other Pain-related Targets.

A postdoctoral position is available in the research group of Tao Che, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Employment will commence tentatively in early Summer 2020, exact starting date is negotiable.

The long term goal of the Che lab is to understand the structure, function and pharmacology of pain-related G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly opioid receptors. Opioid receptors are GPCRs whose role in pain sensation has made them major drug targets for pain medications such as oxycodone and morphine. However, opioids have exceptionally high abuse potential and often cause fatal side effects such as respiratory arrest and death. Towards a molecular understanding of opioid receptor signaling, we employ a combination of state-of-the-art structural (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM) and pharmacological techniques to gain an atomic-level understanding of opioid receptor activation (Cell, 2018), and leverage these data using structure-based drug design to develop novel therapeutics (Nature, 2018).

Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant subject area, such as protein biochemistry, structural biology or pharmacology. Structure determination using x-ray crystallography and/or cryo-EM along with functional analysis using biochemical, biophysical and pharmacological techniques would be a plus. The ability to work in a team, as well as good communication skills, are expected.

Applications that include a brief description of research interests, as well as a CV with contact information of three references should be sent to: taoche@wustl.edu

Tao Che, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Anesthesiology

Washington University in St. Louis

St. Louis, MO 63110

Che Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DrcnS4sAAAAJ&hl=en

The Che lab is located in the School of Medicine campus. In the latest (2019) rankings by USNEWS, Wash U ranks #8 in Anesthesiology and #8 in Medical School (research). Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) has a brand-new fully-functional FEI Titan Krios cryo-EM and is dedicated to biological applications.