Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Counago Lab

Company: UNC-Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Position Summary The Structural Genomics Consortium ( SGC ) at UNC -Chapel Hill is seeking a highly motivated researcher to join our team as part of the NIH -funded Emory-Sage- SGC -Jax TREAT -AD Center. This multi-institutional initiative is focused on accelerating the discovery of new therapeutic targets and strategies for Alzheimer’s disease by generating and disseminating high-quality research tools and data. As a member of the Center’s Structural Biology Core, this position will contribute to the development of Target Enabling Packages (TEPs) comprehensive toolkits that include purified proteins, structural data, and biochemical assays to support the broader research community in exploring novel drug targets. Key Responsibilities: - Protein Expression and Purification: Design and execute recombinant protein production workflows in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems. - Biochemical and Biophysical Characterization: Develop and perform assays to identify and characterize protein-ligand interactions, including binding affinity, selectivity, and mechanism-of-action studies. - Structural Biology: Determine protein structures using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to support target validation and ligand discovery. - Data Management and Reporting: Maintain accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures, results, and analyses. Communicate findings regularly with the project team and contribute to collaborative research efforts within the TREAT -AD network. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of chemical biology, neuroscience, and structural biology, contributing to a national effort to uncover new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer’s disease. Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience Demonstrated proficiency in molecular biology, including high-throughput cloning and recombinant protein production using both bacterial and eukaryotic expression systems, such as baculovirus-infected insect cells. Must be skilled in the use of protein purification equipment, including high-speed centrifuges and fast protein liquid chromatography ( FPLC ) systems. Expertise in developing and executing biochemical assays is essential, with hands-on experience in techniques such as fluorescence polarization, time-resolved FRET (TR- FRET ), FRET , and BRET . Proficiency in biophysical assay platforms, including isothermal titration calorimetry ( ITC ) and surface plasmon resonance ( SPR ), is also required for characterizing protein-ligand interactions. Contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of DEL -based ligand discovery campaigns, supporting the identification of novel chemical matter for challenging protein targets Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience Experience with DNA -encoded library ( DEL ) screening is highly desirable.

Keywords: UNC-Chapel Hill, Rocky Mount , Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Counago Lab, Science, Research & Development , Chapel Hill, North Carolina