University of California, Irvine
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Postdoctoral Scholar - McNulty Laboratory University of California, Irvine in United States
Degree Level
Postdoc
Field of study
Molecular Biology
Funding
NIH-funded research program; salary range $69,073 - $82,836 with full benefits mentioned.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
United States
University
University of California, Irvine
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About this position
The McNulty Laboratory in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of California, Irvine is seeking a postdoctoral scholar for an NIH-funded research program in structural immunology and innate immune signaling.
The project centers on the molecular recognition, assembly, and regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome complexes. The successful candidate will investigate how inflammasome regulation is controlled through integrated protein and nucleic acid biochemistry, quantitative binding and activity assays, genome-edited cell models, and structural analysis of immune signaling complexes.
This position is designed for a researcher interested in combining protein biochemistry, structural biology, nucleic acid biochemistry, genome editing, and innate immune signaling to study inflammatory pathways at the molecular level. The postdoc will contribute to project development, experimental design, data collection, interpretation, and dissemination, and will help shape future directions of the NIH-funded program.
The laboratory uses protein biochemistry, cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, nucleic acid biochemistry, and cell signaling assays to understand how innate immune complexes assemble and function. The lab environment includes molecular biology, mammalian cell culture, protein purification, cryo-EM sample preparation, and biochemical assays, with access to departmental and university resources such as cryo-EM instrumentation, mass spectrometry, high-performance computing, and collaborative immunology expertise.
The scholar will work closely with the principal investigator, laboratory team members, and external collaborators, and will participate in presentations, manuscript preparation, collaborative projects, and potentially mentoring junior lab members.
Funding details
NIH-funded research program; salary range $69,073 - $82,836 with full benefits mentioned.
What's required
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology, immunology, cell biology, chemical biology, biophysics, or a related field is required at the start date; Ph.D. candidates nearing graduation are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a strong record of research productivity, including at least one first-author or co-first-author publication, preprint, or manuscript in preparation. Required experience includes recombinant protein expression and purification, quantitative biochemical or biophysical assays, mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, and genome editing. Applicants must be able to manage an independent project, troubleshoot experiments, learn quickly, work well in a diverse collaborative team, and communicate effectively in writing and speaking. Preferred experience includes protein–nucleic acid interaction assays, enzymatic activity and ligand binding assays, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, mammalian macrophage models, functional characterization of protein variants in immune-signaling assays, cryo-EM sample preparation and image processing, macromolecular complex reconstitution, structural/computational approaches such as X-ray crystallography, structural modeling, or molecular dynamics, and biophysical binding assays such as SPR, MST, or BLI.
How to apply
Submit a one- to two-page cover letter describing your interest in the McNulty Laboratory, relevant research experience, and long-term career goals. Upload a current CV and provide contact information for three professional references. Apply through the UC Irvine application portal.
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.