We have applied some changes to ARIA and are monitoring stability, but you can continue to work as normal. We appreciate your understanding.
A postdoctoral position is available to work on ion channel structural biology in the lab of Filip Van Petegem at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada). The project focuses on the regulation and pathophysiology of Ryanodine Receptors (RyRs) and their associated proteins. RyRs represent the largest ion channels currently known and are targets for hundreds of mutations that cause cardiac arrhythmias, myopathies, and malignant hyperthermia.
The project combines cryo-EM and electrophysiology with various biophysical methods. For some aspects, X-ray crystallography may be required. Our lab has steady access to the in-house cryo-EM facility, which houses a Titan Krios with Falcon IV detector and a 200kV Glacios (Falcon III) for pre-screening grids, as well as microscopes for negative stain EM.
Minimum requirements for applicants include a PhD in Biochemistry or a related discipline with extensive experience with one or more structural biology methods (NMR, X-ray crystallography, or cryo-EM). Direct experience with membrane proteins is an additional plus.
The lab values diversity and inclusivity, and applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This is an opportunity for people with a structural biology background to learn electrophysiological methods.
Recent work from the lab includes an investigation of how Ryanodine Receptors are modulated by small molecules, disease mutations, and post-translational modification, using cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, planar lipid bilayer electrophysiology, and enzyme kinetics.
Recent work on this topic:
Yang et al (2022) PNAS 119:e2120416119
Woll et al (2021) Nature Comm. 12:807
Ma et al (2020) Nat Chem Biol. 16,1246-1254
Haji-Ghassemi et al (2019) Molecular Cell 75,1-14
For more information on recent work, see here.
The lab is housed within the Life Sciences Centre at UBC, located on the Point Grey campus in Vancouver.
Interested candidates should send a CV, a cover letter showing the motivation to apply, along with names and contact details for 3 references to filip.vanpetegem@gmail.com.
