[3dem] Cryo-ET Postdoc at Ke Lab, UT Austin, Texas

Tue May 6 14:22:59 PDT 2025

Dear Colleagues,

The Ke Lab<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.zunlongke-lab.org/__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54gPwEbWQ$ > at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas seeks to recruit a highly motivated, ambitious Postdoc Fellow in virology and structural biology. Please see more details here:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstaff/job/AUSTIN-TX/Postdoctoral-Fellow_R_00039070__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54UoQABMA$ 

About the postdoc position:
To work within the Laboratory of Dr. Zunlong Ke at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, the University of Texas at Austin. This postdoc position is fully funded by Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the Welch Foundation. The aim for this position is to investigate cancer-causing viruses and their interactions with hosts using a spectrum of structural biology techniques. We will take advantage of the state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), cryo-correlative microscopy (cryo-CLEM), cryo-FIB milling, coupled with functional assays to dissect the molecular mechanisms of cancer-causing viruses.

Examples of my previous work (including leading and contributing) on enveloped viruses using cryo-EM, cryo-ET, and subtomogram averaging:
SARS-CoV-2 Spike<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2665-2__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54oQqVUUE$ > and SARS-CoV-2 variants <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.embopress.org/doi/full/10.1038/s44318-024-00303-1__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs544sr1d5M$ > (Nature, EMBO J, Postdoc with John Briggs), Measles virus Matrix and Fusion glycoprotein<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-04058-2__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54GrrAT-k$ > and RSV morphology and assembly<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/10/8/446__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54guUkmGk$ >(Nature Comm, Viruses, PhD with Elizabeth Wright)
Cryo-CLEM of infected/transfected cells<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.nature.com/articles/nprot.2016.168__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54uLBWCQ0$ > and Immunogold labeling for cryo-ET<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26069287/__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54GdlsvUM$ >: with Elizabeth Wright (during PhD)
Recently, our collaborative work with Daniel Leahy at UT Austin on EGFR full-length by cryo-ET is out here at bioRxiv<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39651119/__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54imzYR9E$ >.

About the cryo-EM and cryo-ET facility at UT Austin:
The Sauer Structural Biology Laboratory<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://structuralbiology.cns.utexas.edu/*/__;Iw!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54bfS96gs$ > currently hosts a Titan Krios equipped with Gatan K3 camera with energy filter, a Talos Glacios with Falcon 4 camera, a few lower-voltage TEM for negative staining, and multiple grid plunge freezing apparatus. The facility is a welcoming environment and is supported by extremely talented personnel.

The University is dedicated to expanding the cryo-EM and cryo-ET capacity. We recently purchased the following equipment and are expected to be installed this Fall:

  *   An Aquilos 2 cryo-FIB/SEM, equipped with cryo-lift out and METEOR (Delmic) internal fluorescence microscope
  *   A STELLARIS 5 Cryo Confocal Light Microscope for cryo-CLEM imaging workflow
  *   A high-pressure freezer for thicker specimens
  *   A Leica GP2 for single-sided blotting of cellular materials and beyond
With the completion of the renovation, the facility will be operated at BSL2 level from sample preparation to cryo-imaging.

About the Department, the University, and Austin:
The Department of Molecular Biosciences hosts around 60 faculty with diverse research directions. The department is a collaborative environment with a strong group of structural biologists. The University of Texas at Austin is a dynamic and vivid campus in the center of Austin, Texas. Known as the live music capital of the world, Austin is rapidly growing in recent years while maintaining the college town vibe.

How to apply:
Successful postdoc applicants will hold a Ph.D. in a relevant area (e.g. virology, structural biology, biophysics) and have a strong track record of accomplishment in virology or structural biology.

Please submit your complete application documents, containing a cover letter describing your interests in my laboratory, your CV, and contact information for 3 references. Please apply here:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstaff/job/AUSTIN-TX/Postdoctoral-Fellow_R_00039070__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54UoQABMA$ 
Alternatively, you can email me directly. The position is available immediately.

We are also actively recruiting perspective PhD students and post-bac research technicians. Informal inquiries are encouraged and can email me directly at zunlong.ke at austin.utexas.edu<mailto:zunlong.ke at austin.utexas.edu>.

Best Regards,

Zunlong Ke, PhD
Assistant Professor
CPRIT Scholar
Department of Molecular Biosciences
The University of Texas at Austin
zunlongke-lab.org<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.zunlongke-lab.org/__;!!Mih3wA!ByBF6afNNTGfxraHclCr9gmu3DHtyYI8D8RsCW7_80iab4k0684yLHQR8PyN-aLRIyoI76FTwdwPK8HMSv_6gs54gPwEbWQ$ >

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