Postdoctoral Positions in Next-generation Single-molecule, Super-resolution Optical Imaging and In situ Structural Biology
Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center
United States

Company overview

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular mission: ending cancer for life. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue our mission at MSK and around the globe. One of the world’s most respected comprehensive centers devoted exclusively to cancer, we have been recognized as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.

In compliance with applicable State regulatory authorities, COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all MSK staff. Staff are considered fully vaccinated upon completion of a primary vaccination series for COVID-19 (i.e., one dose of a single dose vaccine or a final dose of a multi-dose vaccine series). Exceptions from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement are permitted for those who request and receive an approved medical or fully remote exemption.  Requests for medical exemption can take up to two weeks to review. Vaccination or an approved medical exemption is required to start work.

*Staff working at a MSK New Jersey location must be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, which includes having completed the primary COVID-19 vaccination series and booster once eligible as mandated by New Jersey State. All New Jersey staff not yet eligible for a booster must receive a booster within 3 weeks of becoming eligible as a condition of continued employment at MSK.

Note: Individuals are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster two months after completion of a primary vaccination series for COVID-19.  Because vaccine-induced immunity can wane over time, MSK continues to strongly urge all staff to get a COVID-19 booster as soon as they become eligible to maintain their protective immunity for a longer period.

Job details

The Pertsinidis lab in the Structural Biology Program of the Sloan Kettering Institute at MSKCC

has immediate openings for Postdoctoral positions.

A major focus in our lab is developing cutting-edge single-molecule detection and superresolution

optical imaging techniques. We further apply the tools we develop to visualize and

understand some of the most fundamental biological processes that power cellular life. For

example, our lab has developed modulation interferometry, a single-molecule localization-based

super-resolution technique with ~1-2 nm 3D precision and target-locking 3D nanoscopy, a

technique that achieved single-molecule detection in high background, crowded intracellular

environments. These tools have enabled some of the highest resolution single-molecule studies

to date, providing new biological insights that could not be obtained before (e.g. Wang et al. Cell

2016; Li et al., Cell 2019).

Successful applicants will become an important member of our vibrant, interdisciplinary team of

physical and biological scientists. We now develop the next-generation of low-background, noninvasive

and photon-efficient techniques - to further enhance our ability to visualize biological

processes in live cells with single-molecule sensitivity, (sub)-millisecond temporal and (sub)-

nanometer 3D spatial resolution. We also further push the limits of extracting high-resolution

information from weak signals in optically inhomogeneous, thick, multi-cellular environments,

such as tissue explants, 3D organoids and the developing embryo. Finally, we develop new

single-molecule imaging and machine learning technologies for in situ structural

biology, to enable for the first time high-resolution structural studies inside cells.

Requirements:

• Desire to tackle outstanding challenges in optics, microscopy and/or single-molecule

biology

• Ph.D. degree in Physics, Chemistry, Optics, Optical Engineering, Biophysics or a

relevant scientific or engineering field.

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

Experience with single-molecule detection instrumentation and high/super-resolution optical

imaging (e.g. STED/RESOLFT, 4Pi, MINFLUX, SIM, LLS/SPIM approaches, Adaptive Optics,

etc.), as well as cryogenic and UHV technologies is preferred but not required. Individuals with

additional working knowledge in areas of biochemistry, molecular, cell and developmental

biology and/or genetics are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please send a CV, names and contact

information of three references, and a short description of scientific interests to Dr. Alexandros

Pertsinidis (PertsinA@mskcc.org).

Application Process