Career Center

POSITION SUMMARY

The Buck Institute has an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to study proteostasis and mitochondria during stress, cellular aging, and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the lab of Dr. Kai Zhou. The Zhou lab uses budding yeast as the main model organism to study the cell biology of aging with an emphasis on proteostasis and mitochondria. Proteostasis defect and mitochondrial dysfunction are two conserved hallmarks of aging and many neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. Budding yeast is an ideal model to study the cellular aging and rejuvenation processes, both happen at the same time along the axis of asymmetric cell division. We use multiple cutting-edge imaging methods, high-throughput screening, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and machine learning to address systematically the response of cellular proteome towards stress, aging and AD-related proteins. We also design new technologies and engineer new tools to solve the problems we face.

As proteostasis and mitochondrial components are conserved in all organisms, our strategy is to take advantage of high-throughput platforms to quickly discover new fundamental mechanisms in budding yeast and use novel mechanisms to guide further exploration in other animal models (e.g. fruit fly) for aging and ADs. We are interested in questions related to protein folding, protein misfolding/aggregation, phase separation, mitochondrial biogenesis and dysfunctions, as well as other cell biological questions, in response to stress, aging, and AD. Our goal is for the Postdoctoral Researcher to publish several high-profile papers and prepare projects they can take to their own lab in the future. Your success is the common interest we share! Please check the Zhou lab webpage for recent publications.

ABOUT THE ZHOU LAB

The Zhou lab is establishing a new research program related to aging. We apply genetics, cell biology, proteomics, biochemistry, imaging and bioinformatics to solve protein folding and aging–related questions. Our diverse lab of young scientists from many different countries enjoy making cool scientific discoveries. We believe this cultural diversity will enable us to push the frontier of science for humankind.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter addressing your past research experience, plans, and expectations for working in the lab. Also, include 1-2 paragraphs on specific questions related to our lab topics that you would like to pursue in our lab. This short research proposal will help us focus our time on the candidates that best match our lab interests. Please also include a current CV and three professional references. Please feel free to consult me via email (kzhou@buckinstitute.org).

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or M.D. degree in biology or related fields
• Published research in peer-reviewed journals
• Strong interest in proteostasis, cell biology, and aging
• Previous research experience in cell biology or yeast biology preferred, but not required