Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employee Classification: Postdoctoral Research Assoc

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science

Department: UNT-Biological Sciences-121100

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidates qualifications, experience, and discipline, in acordance with university guidelines and available funding.

FTE: 1.00

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Department Summary

The Department of Biological Sciences, one of four departments in the College of Science, has over 45 faculty, 160 graduate and 2,800 undergraduate students. We offer courses at the Denton and Frisco campuses. Our faculty is a community of scholars dedicated to research and teaching in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Ecology, Environmental Science, Plant Biology, and Organismal-environment interactions. We offer bachelor’s degrees in biology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Medical Laboratory Science, and Forensic Science, and Masters and PhDs in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Environmental Science. We measure our success by the success of our students and the quality of our intellectual contributions to society. For additional information, see http://biology.unt.edu.

UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Position Overview

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of North Texas is seeking to hire a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join Dr. Yanxiao Han’s computational biological laboratory. The Han Lab is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to interdisciplinary research at the interface of molecular biophysics, hormone signaling, and therapeutic design. The primary focus of the lab is on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly those involved in cardiovascular and hormone signaling pathways. Using multiscale simulations—combining molecular dynamics, enhanced sampling, and kinetic modeling—the team investigates how neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and hormones such as estrogen interact with β-adrenergic and estrogen-related GPCRs. These studies aim to uncover the molecular basis of GPCR cross-talk and its impact on sex-specific cardiovascular function and disease. The lab is also interested in AI-driven design of peptides and proteins for therapeutic applications. This includes previously developed novel peptide drugs inspired by natural toxins to selectively target ion channels, as well as engineering antimicrobial peptides using machine learning and structural modeling approaches. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on the mechanistic study of GPCR-mediated signaling, the rational design of next-generation biologics for precision medicine, and beyond.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in biophysics, computational biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or a related field
• Strong background in molecular dynamics simulations and/or protein modeling
• Experience with enhanced sampling methods, multiscale modeling, and/or kinetic modeling is highly desirable
• Interest in translational applications, including peptide/protein therapeutics or cardiovascular drug development
• Experience mentoring students in a collaborative research environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Development and application of AI-driven methods in computational biomedical/biological related research
• Experience collaborating with experimental (wet-lab) researchers
• Strong communication skills

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties:

• Conduct funded research or self-driven related research 
• Write manuscripts, abstracts for conferences and attend scientific meetings 
• Write proposals for research projects 
• Provide informal mentoring to undergraduates and graduates associated with the lab 

Work Schedule:

Varies

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.