Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, the University of Denver embodies the spirit of exploration and discovery that defines our region and our history. DU is a private institution built on exploration through research and collaboration among educators, students, and local and global communities. With nationally recognized academic programs, a history of widespread influence, a forward-looking vision for a 21st-century education, and a deep commitment to promoting inclusion, we open a world of opportunity to students and empower them to make a difference around the world. Through learning, scholarship and practice, students gain the experience, knowledge and courage they need to tackle big challenges in the real world and guide diverse communities and organizations.
About the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
The college is home to five academic departments: Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geography and the Environment, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy. The college offers over 30 degrees ranging from Bachelor of Arts to Doctor of Philosophy as well as having many active research labs funded through extramural sources. DU and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics are strongly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment of belonging for all. In alignment with this commitment and regardless of specialization, successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to integrate content, programming, processes, communication, and sentiments to build a welcoming community of learning for all, being conscious of individuals with historically minoritized identities. You can read more about DU’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on the University’s website.
About the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (https://science.du.edu/chemistry) offers undergraduate degrees in chemistry, biochemistry and environmental chemistry and graduate degrees with specialization in analytical, biophysical, environmental, and organic chemistry and biochemistry.
About the Kumar Lab
The Kumar Lab is located in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Denver. The Kumar lab is a chemical biology lab, which entails the design of synthetic protein mimetics as lead therapeutics to investigate various pathological protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions. Specifically, the Kumar lab is interested in the identification of lead therapeutics for various diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. The Kumar lab uses numerous techniques, including organic synthesis, biophysical assays, cellular and in vivo disease models to identify lead therapeutics for various diseases.
Position Summary
The Kumar lab is seeking to hire multiple postdoctoral fellows to work on developing large libraries of ligands using novel methods to identify lead therapeutics for Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and other aggregation prone disease. Specifically, postdoctoral fellows to work on organic synthesis, biophysical assays, biochemistry, and mouse work for neurodegeneration models. Candidates with backgrounds in the following areas are encouraged to apply, background in at least one category are preferred:
Organic
- Organic synthesis with peptide chemistry and small molecule synthesis.
- High throughput synthetic methods.
- Multicomponent reactions
Mouse work
- Mouse work with phenotype detection (neurodegenerative diseases, but not required)
- Experience dosing and inducing therapeutics and disease models.
- Testing of motor and non-motor deficits.
- Immunostaining and imaging of mice tissue.
Protein work
- Protein expression.
- Testing ligands in various biophysical, cellular models of neurodegenerative disorders. Characterizing ligand:protein and protein:protein interactions in vitro.
- Biophysical assays design.
- Molecular biophysics, confocal microscopy, or related areas
- Generation of new cell lines by incorporating Protein-GFP etc.
These research areas are supported by a grant from NIH (NINDS). These positions are grant funded for four years.
Essential Functions
- Performing independent research. Analyzing and interpreting research results.
- Capable and willing to work with, train, and mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers.
- Responsible for a set of lab duties designed to facilitate research.
- Assisting with paper and grant writing work.
- Fostering an inclusive laboratory environment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Proficient in spoken and written English.
- Knowledgeable in cellular and molecular biophysics, aggregation prone proteins, mouse models, organic chemistry, and related areas.
- Laboratory research experience.
Required Qualifications
- Proficient in spoken and written English.
- PhD degree in biophysics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or related areas.
- Knowledgeable in biophysics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and related areas.
- Laboratory research experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge in chemical biology, biochemistry, and protein:protein interactions, mouse biology and neurodegeneration, organic synthesis.
Working Environment
- Open interdisciplinary chemical biology lab setting
- Standard office environment.
- Unexpected interruptions occur often, and stress level is moderate to high.
- Noise level is quiet to moderate.
Physical Activities
- Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
- Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.
Work Schedule
The University’s administrative offices are open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Work schedule may vary.
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) November 15, 2024.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is GE8.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $61,000-$71,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
Please include the following documents with your application:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.