Postdoc positions with Suckjoon Jun

We expect to fill two postdoc positions by the end of 2008. Starting date is flexible.

The mission of our lab is to understand the general, fundamental principles in biology using both physical and biological approaches. We are particularly interested in bacterial cell cycle, and our focus so far has been on bacterial chromosome segregation -- one of the basic, and yet unsolved, problems in biology. On the theoretical side, we have shown that physical properties of the bacterial chromosomes and the shape of the cell (e.g., rod-shaped cell of E.coli) are intimately linked to provide a basic driving force of segregation; whereas low-copy number plasmids will require active segregation mechanisms due to their small sizes, which provides a natural evolutionary arguement of segregation strategies based on the size of the genome (e.g., chromosome vs. plasmid; physical vs. biological). Our view is summarized in this review [see Colloquium: Can entropy save bacteria? in http://www.sysbio.harvard.edu/csb/jun/publications.html].

On the experimental end, together with Nancy Kleckner's laboratory also at Harvard, we have developed a micropiston system to isolate and manipulate chromosomes by bringing together microfluidics, single- molecule manipulation and imaging techniques. We are currently conducting several exciting experiments, in the hope to use our micropiston system as an "artificial cell" to simulate in vivo situations. Examples of our current experiments include, but not limited to, (a) pushing ("piston") and pulling of single and multiple, fluorescently labeled chromosomes (b) in vitroreplication of isolated chromosomes.

To go beyond our (physical) in vitro studies, we have also developed microfluidic continuous culture device (aka "micro-chemostat"), which allows us to follow over 10,000 individual cells for an arbitrary number of cell generations from a single experiment. In our device, we can apply a wide range of techniques such as Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH), Fluorescence Repressor Operator System (FROS), phase and DIC microscopy at 100x resolution. Since the growth of the individual cells in steady state is continuously monitored, our device does not require any synchronized cell populations. Moreover, lineage information (pedigree) of the entire population of the cells can be automatically extracted in our device. Although there are many obvious applications of our micro-chemostat -- from switching and phenotypic variability to aging (senescence) -- we are particularly interested in unraveling how the physical properties of the chromosome may trigger decisions governing major events in the bacterial cell cycle. To know more details about our questions, contact us.

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We are looking for two post-docs. We are extremely flexible with the candidate's background and welcome applications from physical sciences who would like to make a transition to biologial science, or from biological sciences who has an analytical mind and wants to learn physical approaches to biology. To give an example, but not limited to,

a. An experimentalist with experiences in single-molecule techniques and microscopy with quantitative image analysis, who understands statistical physics and control theory with an ability for modeling. Excellent programming skills (e.g., LabView, COMSOL, C/C++, Java). Previous exposure to biology is a plus but not required. Exceptionally motivated to learn and excel in biology.

b. A theoretician who has excelled in his or her own field (e.g., physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science or bioinformatics), who is strongly committed to take the challenge of learning experiments and uncover fundamental principles in biology. We will help the person learn biology and provide any necessary experimental and intellectual resources. In addition, we will help the candidate write a fellowship application.

c. A biologist with background in molecular/cell biology, who wants to teach and learn from colleagues from physical sciences to study chromosome segregation and bacterial cell cycle in vitro and in vivo., Experiences with microscopy and image analysis is a plus.

In both cases, we expect the candidate to have an analytical and quantitative mindset and be resourceful, who has a sense of direction and purpose in science with intellectual power to ask the right questions in biology, and a strong motivation/enthusiasm to do whatever will take to answer the question.

Application should include (1) Curriculum Vitae (2) (important) A brief letter of motivation which describes the applicant's past experiences and why she or he is interested in this position (3) Name and contact information of at least three references. Application should be sent by email (sjun_at_cgr.harvard.edu).

For more information, see http://www.sysbio.harvard.edu/csb/jun

Harvard University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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