The laboratory of Dr. Yong-Hui Zheng in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the College of Medicine at University of Illinois Chicago is looking for motivated post-doctoral candidates to explore novel antiviral mechanisms that broadly target HIV-1, Ebola virus, and SARS-CoV-2. Although these viruses belong to different families, they all express class I fusion proteins that share identical features in structure and biosynthesis for virus entry. We currently have multiple NIH-funded projects to study how these fusion proteins are attacked by different types of host factors (ER -mannosidases, RNF185, MARCHF E3 ubiquitin ligases, SERINC5), resulting in inhibition of virus entry and infection. The candidates will have opportunities to study these important human viruses together. Interested candidates please visit Pubmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36224200/ and read the most recent publications. 

Duties

• Work with Principal Investigator to design and develop research projects.

• Conduct independent research experiments, including data collection and analysis.

• Test, optimize, and troubleshoot new and existing methods and techniques. 

• Prepare scientific results for publication in peer-reviewed journals. 

• Communicate results at internal and external scientific conferences. 

• Assist in the training of graduate students and research staff. 

Qualifications

• PhD degree in molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, or a related field.

• At least one first authored, peer-reviewed, publication.

• Knowledge of basic experimental design and statistics.

• Desirable: strong background in viral infection, protein trafficking, degradation, autophagy, protein-protein interactions, and molecular biology. Research experience in BSL3 is a plus.