Post-doctoral Fellow: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to work on scientific projects for studying the molecular mechanisms of the therapeutic targets for substance use disorders using computational approaches. The position is located in the Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics Unit, within the Intramural Research Program (IRP) located in Baltimore, Maryland.

The primary projects for this position will utilize molecular modeling, simulation, and other computational approaches to investigate the structure-funtion relationships of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). In particular, dopamine receptors are implicated in various vital physiological functions – abnormalities in its regulation have been implicated in neuropsychiatric and substance use disorders. Our laboratory is equipped with state of the art high-performance computating infrastructure, and closely integrates in silico and in vitro studies either in-house or through collaborations. Overall, the NIDA IRP is an interactive collection of laboratories employing cutting edge methodologies devoted to understanding and reducing the risks of addiction. It is a highly collaborative and supportive environment for trainees.

The ideal candidate should have extensive understanding and experiences on ligand-protein interactions. A strong scripting/programing background is preferred. The position is open to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in molecular biophysics, computational chemistry, or computational biology. Interested candidates must submit a CV and a one-page summary of research interests, as well as the names and contact information (work/email addresses, phone) of three references to: Dr. Lei Shi, Investigator, at lei.shi2@nih.gov. Applications must be submitted in PDF or MS word format only – paper applications will not be accepted.

DHHS, NIH and NIDA are Equal Opportunity Employers. Applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged