Two postdoctoral positions are immediately available in the group of Emad Tajkhorshid, Beckman Institute, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to conduct research on structure and function of macromolecular structures using computational techniques and simulation methodologies. 

The successful candidates will be applying various computational methodologies, including, but not limited to, classical molecular dynamics, quantum mechanical calculations, and combined QM/MM methods, to investigate the structural basis of biological function of macromolecules. The positions require a strong background in theoretical biophysics and/or physical chemistry, as well as experience in molecular simulation and computational methodologies. The candidates are also expected to be familiar with common operating systems (in particular unix), and have basic scripting and programming skills. One of the main areas of research in the group is on membrane proteins, particularly the phenomenon of selective transport of materials across lipid bilayers through channels and transporters.  The successful candidates will have the option to immediately join one of the several ongoing research projects on channels and transporters, and/or develop their own research projects. 

The group is currently equipped with a cluster of 96 processors, to be expanded to 192 processors within the next few months, about 10 TB of storage space, and powerful desktop and graphics machines, thus providing excellent computational resources needed to accomplish the projects. The group has also access to national supercomputing centers (NCSA and PSC), which complement local computational resources of the group, and is supported by a wide range of modeling programs through the School of Chemical Sciences.  UIUC has a very long tradition in interdisciplinary research, and with very strong research programs in life science, computer science, chemistry, and physics and engineering, provides an exceptional environment for theoretical and computational biophysical research.

The appointments are available immediately and are for a one-year term (renewable). Interested candidates should submit a detailed resume, a statement of research goals, and three recommendation letters by email to emad@ks.uiuc.edu (email application encouraged) or by mail to:

Emad Tajkhorshid, PhD
Assistant Prof. of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Beckman Institute, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801