PostDoctoral Associate

Summary Job Summary The Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology invites applications for a PostDoctoral Associate!

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are The Park laboratory studies functions and mechanisms of the proteasome, a ‘molecular machine’ essential to life. In many cancers and neurodegenerative syndromes (e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), the proteasome is known to malfunction. In our pursuit to understand proteasome mechanisms, we recently discovered that cells scrutinize assembly events of the proteasome. Assembly QC of large complexes, such as the proteasome, is poorly understood, despite their fundamental and biomedical significance. We identified that this novel and unexpected mechanism of assembly QC utilizes an ensemble of factors. Specific nuclear localization signals (NLSs) selectively target incorrect base assemblies to the nucleus, with the help of unusual factors: non-proteolytic ubiquitination of the assembly chaperone (Nas2), ubiquitin receptor (Rpn13) and E4 ubiquitin ligase (Hul5). We propose that they together distinguish correct vs. incorrect assemblies enroute to the proteasome, to ensure proper proteasome formation. To learn more about our research, please refer to the website ( https://www.colorado.edu/mcdb/soyeon-park ).

Responsibilities What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be A prospective Post-Doctoral Fellow will investigate mechanisms of “Assembly quality control (AQC)” of the proteasome (see our recent paper in Nature Communications, 2025, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58703-8 ). Because AQC of large complexes, such as the proteasome, is poorly understood, your investigation concerns fundamentally important problems in the field. Specifically, you will interrogate mechanisms of novel AQC components, (1) multiple ‘cryptic’ nuclear localization signals of proteasome subunits, and (2) evolutionarily conserved assembly chaperones, including Gankyrin, a known onco-protein in humans, (3) the role of ubiquitination involving the Hul5 E4 ubiquitin ligase and the Rpn13 ubiquitin receptor, both of which are biomedically important with overexpression in many cancers. You will learn and utilize combinations of approaches: genetic engineering, protein biochemistry, structural biology and live-cell microscopy. You will actively participate in writing and preparation of manuscripts.

What We Can Offer The salary range for this position is $51,000 to $56,00 0 annually.

Benefits At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• PhD. in Biology or related field.

What You Will Need

• Experience with any model organisms (yeast, plant, worm, mammalian culture system etc.), including handling, culture, and storage.
• Critical thinking abilities in experimental designs, data analyses (qualitative and quantitative) and trouble-shooting.
• Strong experience in manuscript preparation, including writing, preparing figures and providing critical feedback.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Proficiency with genetic engineering (plasmid cloning, PCR, mutagenesis) and various aspects of protein biochemistry is a plus.
• Experience with structural biology, including the usage of alphafold and Chimera, is a plus.

Special Instructions To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

During the application process you will need to enter contact information for a reference . We will request letters of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version (if applicable) as an optional attachment.

For Full Consideration please apply by October 15, 2026. The position will remain posted until filled. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.