Postdoctoral Research Associate

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: for 36 months

The Opportunity: 

Join us to discover non-canonical mechanisms of genome transfer in a clinically relevant human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans 

A Postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Prof. A. Jeyaprakash Arulanandam to study the non-canonical mechanisms of genome transmission in Cryptococcus neoformans. Cryptococcus neoformans is an understudied environmental yeast, designated the most critical priority human fungal pathogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO).  Mostly immunocompromised patients succumb to Cryptococcal infections, causing ~147,000 deaths in AIDS patients. This will be a highly interactive and collaborative study with the groups of Prof. Hardwick at the University of Edinburgh and Prof. Sanyal at JNCASR, Bengaluru.  

The project will involve dissecting the mechanisms that regulate chromosome segregation and cell division using a range of structural biology, biochemical, and biophysical methods, complemented by yeast genetics and cell biology (in collaboration with the Profs. Hardwick and Sanyal labs). The position is initially fixed-term for 36 months and is ideally suited for ambitious, motivated, and creative individuals. 

The candidate will benefit from excellent core resources, including a state-of-the-art Glacios 2 electron microscope equipped with a Falcon 4i direct detector and Selectris-X energy filter, as well as proteomics and light-microscopy facilities. 

Research in the Institute of Cell Biology is directed towards an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underpin genomic and cellular structure and function.  It consists of around 36 research groups, including the newly formed Centre for Cell Biology and the Discovery Research Platform. This research project is funded by the Wellcome Trust for a period of 8 years. 

This post is full-time (35 hours per week). 

Your skills and attributes for success:  

• Expertise in structural biology (primarily cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography), protein biochemistry (Protein expression and purification, and experience working with insect cell and yeast expression systems) and single-molecule biophysics.  
• A deep interest in uncovering fundamental mechanisms of chromosome segregation and cell division. 
• A track record of high-quality research outputs (peer-reviewed publications, PDB/EMDB depositions), effective communication skills as evidenced by publications, and conference participation. 
• Good teamwork and the capacity to collaborate within and beyond the research group. 

 Apply Before: 30/03/2026, 23:59

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