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Job

Postdoctoral Fellow

Organization

NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Rockville, Maryland, United States

Scientific focus area

Chemical Biology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Molecular Pharmacology

The Preclinical Chemical Biology Laboratory under Dr. James Inglese, at the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, is now seeking a postdoctoral fellow to expand and apply the Structural Dynamics Response assay platform to proteins of unknown or poorly characterized function implicated in human disease.

About the position

The Structural Dynamics Response assay is a gain-of-signal, non-competitive method to detects ligand-binding through ligand-induced structural dynamics, thus enabling study of targets that lack traditional functional assays. Prospective fellows will develop SDR-based assays for novel targets, engineer protein constructs, and integrate biophysical approaches to characterize ligand binding and pharmacology. This position offers training at the interface of chemical biology and translational science, with access to state-of-the-art HTS and assay development technologies within the NIH intramural program.

Key responsibilities of this position include:

  • Designing, expressing, and purifying recombinant proteins for SDR assay development
  • Engineering and evaluating SDR-compatible fusion constructs (NanoLuc/HiBiT systems)
  • Developing and optimizing SDR assays for proteins lacking established functional readouts
  • Performing and analyzing protein–ligand interaction studies using surface plasmon resonance and related biophysical methods
  • Interpreting pharmacological data (binding affinities, SAR trends) to support ligand discovery efforts.

Apply for this vacancy

What you'll need to apply

Interested candidates should email the following in PDF format to Dr. Inglese at the email below:

  • A cover letter, including a research summary and description of your interest in this position
  • A current curriculum vitae with a complete bibliography
  • The names and contact information of three professional references, including your current supervisor,

Applications will be reviewed as they are received until this position is filled.

Contact name

James Inglese, Ph.D.

Contact email

[email protected]

Qualifications

Candidates should have a Ph.D. in biochemistry, chemical biology, or related field, with strong experience in protein expression and purification and biophysical characterization of protein–ligand interactions, particularly surface plasmon resonance. Experience in assay development and an interest in studying undercharacterized or 'undruggable' proteins are highly desired.

Disclaimer/Fine Print

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. NIH welcomes foreign nationals with the exception of individuals from this list.

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