Chemistry Research Opening

We are excited to announce our newest Department of Chemistry faculty member, Dr. Jun-yong Choe, is recruiting undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry students to assist him with his research. Dr. Choe has joined us as an Associate Professor from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago. A description of his work and the research assistant positions is given below. Please contact Dr. Choe at choej18@ecu.edu to discuss your interest with him.

Note his research lab is located at the East Carolina Heart Institute on the Health Sciences campus, so keep transportation time in mind.

Description:

We are working on the structure and function of carbohydrate transporters, (important membrane proteins involved in cancer, diabetes and aging), glucose conjugation and transport of salicylic acid (with role in plant defense against pathogens), protein engineering, and drug discovery for cancer and diabetes treatment. The experiments involve molecular biology, membrane protein purification (from bacterial, insect and human cells), x-ray protein crystallography, small angle x-ray scattering, computational modeling, biochemical and biophysical protein characterization. The research is funded by the US National Institute of Health and we have international collaborators for the projects. We are a user group of U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratories for synchrotrons. We are looking for someone who is passionate about science/research and likes learning new techniques/concepts. Successful candidates need to work at least 3 hour blocks during the day and 10 hours a week around class schedule.

Duties and responsibilities:

Molecular biology, cell culture, protein purification, crystallization

Assist in Biochemical and biophysical protein characterization

Assist in 3D protein structure determination

Assist in ligand screening for drug discovery

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Preferred:

Major in chemistry, biochemistry or related area

Contact: Jun-yong Choe, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, choej18@ecu.edu