Postdoctoral Scientist- Kim and Abdus-Saboor Lab

Primary Work Address:
Dept of Molecular Biology, Princeton, NJ, 08544## The
** Kim lab** (located within the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute and Princeton Neuroscience Institute) engineers technologies for stable, activity-dependent tagging and manipulation of modulated neural circuits in behaving animals. Our broader goal is to employ these technologies to make fundamental biological discoveries about the molecular properties of cells (both in the brain and in the body) that are disrupted in neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases.

Our recent work includes the development of a new class of activity-dependent enzymes that tag proteins present in drug-modulated circuits in vivo. For more information, see (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The
** Abdus-Saboor lab** (located at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute) investigates how the body-brain axis drives behavioral responses to different types of touch and pain. The lab takes an integrated approach, performing genetic manipulations and neural recordings in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. These studies are conducted in both mice and naked mole-rats. For more information, see
** Joint-hire logistics:
** The candidate will be an employee of HHMI and will partner with the primary host institution of Princeton University. The candidate will receive professional, scientific, and career development support equally by both faculty mentors, and will be expected to attend group meetings of both the Kim Lab and the Abdus-Saboor Lab (with some combination of in-person and hybrid attendance). They will work closely with members of the Kim lab for tool engineering and initial validation, and they will work closely with members of the Abdus-Saboor lab for tool testing and application in the peripheral nervous system.

The relative closeness of Princeton and Columbia will allow the trainee to shuttle across institutions, with financial support from the PIs, to accomplish working in both groups as necessary.
** Application Instructions
** Please include the following items
** in one PDF
** as part of your application.
** Cover Letter MUST be included for full consideration.
**** What we provide:
***
* What you’ll do:

** To be considered for a postdoctoral associate position, ideal candidates will have experience and prior training in some of the following areas:
* Protein engineering (rational design, directed evolution, computational design, etc.)
* Molecular biology (cloning, AAV handling)
* Cell culture testing (HEK cells, primary neuron culture)
* Biochemical assays and screening (antibody staining, fluorescence-based imaging assays, FACS, cell stimulation read-outs)
* Animal testing in the brain, spinal cord, and/or peripheral nervous system (AAV injection, perfusions, slicing)
* Imaging (epifluorescence and confocal)
* Data analysis (quantification of fluorescence labeling)
*
* What you bring:

*** A Ph.D. in bioengineering, chemical biology, neuroscience, or related field of science.
* Advanced experience in creative design for molecular tool engineering.
* Ability to learn quickly and to work both independently and as part of a team.
* High level of research integrity and motivation.
* Positive attitude with a problem-solving, resilient approach.
* Resourcefulness in overcoming challenges, and the ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
* Willingness to fully participate in lab and departmental activities, to positively engage with other team members and promote their success (e.g., by reviewing manuscripts, participating in practice talks), mentor junior colleagues, and contribute to an inclusive and productive research climate.
** 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…