May 29, 2018
We are inviting applications from postdoctoral candidates interested in cell mechanics and other problems at the interface of soft matter physics and cell biology.
The successful candidate will join a project funded by the Human Fronteiers Science Program, on a collaboration between Yale, the University College London and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg. The project involves studying the self-organization and echanics of the cell cytoskeleton. The group is motivated by fundamental questions pertaining to cell shape change and mechanical force generation within the cell cytoskeleton. Among our open projects includes the “bottom-up” assembly of proteins and lipids into “minimal cells” with the goal of reproducing the mechanical behaviors of the cell including morphogenesis, adhesion, and cell division. For more information please see the citations at the bottom of the page.
The Systems Biology Institute (SBI) at Yale University is a new, pioneering initiative focused on understanding the organization principles that underlie living systems Residing at the 136 acre Yale West Campus, the Institute houses state of the art facilities in genome analysis, computation, analytical chemistry, and imaging. The West Campus is also a community with its own dining facilities, conference, fitness, and child care centers and nature trail, yet connected to the Old Campus by a quick shuttle. You can learn more about the West Campus here.
The start date is flexible, but available starting Summer 2018. Applicants must have a Ph.D. by this date in Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Physics (soft matter/biophysics), Biomedical Engineering, or a related field. Applicats must also b ehighly motivated with a strong recrod of accomplishment. In particular, we welcome applicants who have experience with techniques in molecular biology (cloning, protein purification), ligh microscopy, and quantitative image analysis. Applications should be sent as a single pdf and include a cover letter, a statement of research interests, and CV including the names of three references.
Please send your application or inquiries to michael.murrell@yale.edu
Michael P. Murrell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Systems Biology Institute, Physics & Biomedical Engineering Departments
Yale West Campus, West Haven CT 06516
livingmatter.yale.edu
Linsmeier, I. et al. Disordered actomyosin networks are sufficient to produce cooperative and telescopic contractility. Nat. Commun. 7, 12615 (2016).
Murrell, M. P. et al. Liposome adhesion generates traction stress. Nat. Phys. 10, 163–169 (2014).
Murrell, M. P. & Gardel, M. L. F-actin buckling coordinates contractility and severing in a biomimetic actomyosin cortex. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 109, 20820–5 (2012).