Current jobs related to Postdoctoral Fellow - Grand Rapids, Michigan - Van Andel Institute

Van Andel Institute (VAI), a world-class biomedical research institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is dedicated to improving human health. We are pioneers in the fight against cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. We are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators.

Van Andel Institute's (VAI) Associate Professor Liman Zhang, Ph.D. is hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the lab and conduct an independent project studying the molecular mechanisms of immune responses.

Why choose the Zhang Laboratory?

• The lab is applying cutting-edge structural biology techniques to study the complex control of the innate immune system, which will eventually benefit the treatment of a wide-range of immunological related diseases including infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
• The lab has set up numerous experimental platforms, including bacterial, insect cell, and mammalian protein expression systems; structural biology and cryoEM workflow; immunology and cell biology techniques; genetics, bioinformatics and beyond.
• Dr. Zhang's long-term interest in the inflammasome pathway set a strong foundation for the lab's mission. Her groundbreaking research have been highlighted by multiple high impact journals ( ).
• She has earned multiple awards for her research and mentorship, including the prestigious K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health; the 2023 Outstanding Research Faculty Award from the Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry Department at Oregon Health & Science University; New Investigator Award from Medical Research Foundation; and the Cancer Research Institute Postdoctoral Training Fellowship Award from Cancer Research Institute when she was a postdoc with Dr. Hao Wu at Harvard Medical School.
• Dr. Zhang is an experienced investigator and mentor who is dedicated to the education and training of scientists to prepare them to become leaders in the biomedical science community.
• Trainees in the lab have been highly successful in obtaining fellowships and faculty jobs, and the environment is ideal for those seeking training in scientific and grant writing skills development.
• The Zhang Lab operates within the VAI Department of Structural Biology, which includes a world-class group of highly collaborative scientists harnessing cryo-electron microscopy and other state-of-the-art techniques to visualize molecules that may serve as treatment targets for cancer, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and more.

Eligibility criteria

• A recent Ph.D. graduate with a strong background in structural biology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, or a related field
• Evidence of research productivity and the desire to take responsibility for the independent management of a project
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

The ideal candidate will be:

• a self-motivated and driven scientist who functions well in a team environment.
• a detail-oriented researcher who thinks critically and creatively to solve complex research problems.
• a collaborative, hands-on researcher who proactively shares knowledge and expertise with lab members and collaborators.

Why join Van Andel Institute as a Postdoctoral Fellow?

Postdoctoral fellows at VAI are key contributors to the Institute's mission to improve health and enhance the lives of current and future generations.

Postdoctoral Fellows are full-time employees and receive a competitive annual salary beginning at $70,000.

Postdoctoral Fellows are also eligible for benefits, including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Employer-sponsored life and AD&D insurance
• Additional voluntary life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Flexible-spending accounts for health and child/elder care
• 401-K retirement savings plans with employee/employer contributions
• Paid vacation, holidays, personal days
• Relocation Assistance

VAI recognizes that selecting where to complete a postdoctoral fellowship is a significant decision. VAI has a dedicated Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, which provides a comprehensive professional development program that supplements training received in VAI labs.

How to Apply

If you possess these attributes and enjoy working with motivated and committed people, we would welcome speaking with you and encourage you to apply today.

We ask you to submit your online application with a single combined PDF including the following:

• A cover letter describing your research interests, experience, and how your interests and experience align with the Zhang Lab.
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae.
• A list of 2-3 individuals who have agreed to act as professional references along with their contact details.

Please contact Eric Miller ) for further information or questions, or if you have any difficulty with the application process.

About Van Andel Institute

Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with national and international collaborators to foster discovery. The Institute's scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson's and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology.

About Grand Rapids, MI

Van Andel Institute is in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan in the center of the Medical Mile. A remarkable combination of a cosmopolitan atmosphere and small-town warmth, Grand Rapids is known for its philanthropic and sustainability-driven community. It's fun affordable and family-friendly.

Located on the banks of the Grand River, Grand Rapids offers all the big-city excitement you'd expect from a million-resident metropolis, featuring hundreds of restaurants and nightspots, theaters, museums, sports and concerts. The safe and clean downtown is surrounded by an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas. The downtown area is safe and clean with an eclectic mix of walkable neighborhoods and natural areas.