Postdoc

Two postdoc positions are immediately available in the laboratory of Dr. Peter Calvert, PhD, Center for Vision Research, State University of New York Upstate Medical University.

The Calvert lab studies the molecular and biophysical mechanisms of the morphogenesis and functional compartmentalization of retinal neurons. To address these questions we use a variety of cutting edge live tissue microscopy approaches to examine the dynamics of proteins, membranes and cell structures, including single molecule tracking, fluorescence lifetime imaging, polarization anisotropy microscopy and super resolution 2P fluorescence recovery after photobleach. Recent work has revealed important new insights into the roles of cytoskeleton and membrane structures in the transport and compartmentalization of proteins and membranes within photoreceptor sensory neurons (Lee, et al. 2018. J Cell Biology; Geneva, et al. 2017. MBoC; Najafi et al. 2012. PNAS; Najafi et al. 2012. J Gen Physiol). Our continuing work in this area seeks to understand the molecular and biophysical mechanisms of membrane protrusion from photoreceptor cilia that leads to the formation of the light signaling compartment as well as the mechanisms of peripheral membrane protein compartmentalization throughout the photoreceptor. Candidates must hold a PhD or equivalent in biochemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience, physiology, biophysics or related fields. Prior experience in live cell microscopy, quantitative imaging, molecular biology or computer modeling of dynamic processes is desirable. Significant knowledge of Matlab, R, or LabView programming are pluses.   

The Center for Vision Research (CVR, http://www.upstate.edu/cvr/) is the research arm of the Department of Ophthalmology and comprises more than 40 researchers, with 12 faculty members leading vigorous, interactive basic science programs spanning multiple disciplines. Research areas include developmental biology, retinal physiology, cell biology, matrix biology and biophysics. Postdoc members of the CVR thus receive broad training in biomedical research.

Talented, highly motivated individuals should send a description of current and past research experience, research interests and future goals, a list of technical expertise, a CV, and e-mail addresses and phone numbers of three references to Carol Miller, millerca@upstate.edu