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Postdoc - Mitochondrial biology, cell biology: New York, United States

A position for a postdoctoral research fellow is available in the laboratory of Christine Mayr at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for a highly motivated individual with a background in molecular biology or cell biology. The Mayr lab investigates how the non-coding elements of mRNAs – especially the 3'UTRs – regulate protein functions (Mayr, Trends Cell Biol 2016).
CD47 is best known as a cell surface receptor with a pro-survival function as it acts as a ‘don’t eat me signal’. However, overall, CD47 has a negative impact on cell survival as Cd47 knock-out mice are protected from cell death induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury or γ-irradiation. We recently found that the different functions of CD47 are determined by the alternative 3'UTRs of CD47 with CD47-SU (generated from the short 3'UTR isoform) promoting cell death (Berkovits & Mayr, Nature, 2015). This indicated that CD47 is a multifunctional protein that combines oncogenic as well as tumor-suppressive functions within the same amino acid sequence.
More recently, we have studied the mechanism of how CD47-SU promotes cell death. We found that CD47-SU localizes to mitochondria and regulates mitochondrial health. Intriguingly, we found that the expression levels of CD47-SU determine if a cell will die or if it will recover from oxidative stress. Our data suggest that the levels of CD47-SU are crucial for cancer, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and several mitochondrial diseases that occur because of mutations in the mitochondrial DNA. We are interested in studying the molecular mechanism of CD47-SU-induced cell death with the goal of being able to therapeutically manipulate CD47-SU levels. We are also interested in the question if the above mentioned diseases can be alleviated by changing CD47-SU levels.

Application Requirements
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a PhD or MD/PhD degree in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology or biochemistry. Required is a demonstrated record of achievements and publications. The candidate is expected to have a strong work ethic, excellent organizational and communication skills and critical thinking abilities.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. MSKCC offers dedicated housing for postdoctoral fellows. This is a 1-year appointment with possibility of renewal for up to 5 years based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and on-going operational needs.

Accommodation
The Mayr lab is located in the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Research Center of the Sloan Kettering Institute of MSKCC. It is part of the Cancer Biology and Genetics Department. MSKCC combines laboratories with a focus on basic as well as cancer research. MSKCC is located in a vibrant hub of world-renowned biomedical research institutions in New York’s Upper East Side, adjacent to Rockefeller University and the Weill Cornell Medical College. The vast resources within MSKCC and these surrounding institutions will help to facilitate the success of the applicant’s projects and enable to establish collaborations with other laboratories.

How to apply
Applicants should submit their CV, a letter outlining interest and motivations and names and contact information of three references to mayrc@mskcc.org, with “Nature ad CD47 postdoc” in the subject line. …

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Job details

Employer:Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC)

Website:https://www.mskcc.org/researc...

Location:1275 York Ave, New York, United States

Expires:September 15, 2016

Job type:Postdoctoral

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Postgraduate - Doctorate/PhD

Employment type:Contract

Job hours:Full-time