Higgins Lab
Understanding bacterial processes to improve human health
Postdoctoral Position in Natural Products
The Higgins Lab, in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in the field of natural product isolation and/or natural product biosynthesis to work on an NIH funded project.
Position: The Higgins Lab is seeking an enthusiastic and organized critical thinker to join our research group. We are interested in identifying and characterizing novel microbial natural product biosynthetic enzymes that catalyze unique biochemical reactions. Using bioinformatics analysis, we have identified numerous natural product biosynthetic gene clusters that encode for uncharacterized enzymes that likely produce novel natural product structures. We are looking for a candidate who has expertise in natural product isolation/structure determination and/or elucidating microbial natural product biosynthetic pathways. The ideal candidate will have expertise in small molecule extraction, isolation, and structure determination. Additionally, experience with genetic manipulation of bacteria would be beneficial. Candidates will have the opportunity to gain valuable bioinformatics, protein biochemistry, and structural biology techniques. Candidates will also be involved in writing manuscripts and training/mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. For more on our lab, please visit https://mhigginslab.wordpress.com/ or follow us on Twitter (@mhigginslab).
Qualifications: The ideal candidate holds a PhD in biochemistry, chemistry, chemical biology or related field and has experience with natural product isolation and/or natural product biosynthesis elucidation.
Facilities: The Higgins lab is in the Science and Engineering Complex in the Department of Biological Sciences (https://bsc.ua.edu) at The University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa. The Department represents many diverse biological disciplines resulting in numerous opportunities for multi-disciplinary collaboration. We have access to a number of core facilities, including the Center for Convergent Bioscience and Medicine and the Department of Chemistry Facilities, which include Mass Spectrometry and NMR facilities.
How to Appy: If you have an enthusiasm for natural products and want to join the Higgins lab, please email the following documents to Dr. Melanie Higgins at mahiggins1@ua.edu:
– a cover letter describing your interest in the lab and how your experience will fit with the position
– your current resume or CV
The position is available to start as soon as possible and will remain open until filled.
The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases.
Higgins Lab 