Scholarship: Fully-funded
Degree: Bachelor, Master, Ph.D
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
The Zhu Lab focuses on the interactions between parasitic pathogens and host cells, using various imaging techniques to study the in situ structure and physiological functions of antimicrobial protein complexes. Prior to the lab’s establishment, research was published in high-impact journals like Science and Nature. Currently, the lab emphasizes the development of cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) techniques and their applications in innate immunity. Both research areas are in early stages, showing great potential. For example, cryo-ET was used to capture innate immune proteins regulating immunity through liquid-liquid phase separation (Nature 594, 424–429 (2021)), and to discover unique conformations of immune proteins that recognize pathogens, inducing host cell pyroptosis (Science 383, 965 (2024)).
The lab is equipped with advanced facilities, including a cryo-correlative light and electron microscope, Aquilos-2 cryo-focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope, and Titan Krios transmission electron microscope.
For more information, visit our lab website:
Available Subjects:
Biochemistry, Biophysics, Microbiology, or Cell Biology
Eligibility criteria:
- We invite motivated postdoctoral researchers to join our team. You will have the opportunity to develop and utilize various imaging techniques, including cryo-ET and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, to study host cell defense mechanisms and pathogen adaptation within host cells.
- Applicants for the postdoctoral position should hold a Ph.D. in one or more of the following fields: Biochemistry, Biophysics, Microbiology, or Cell Biology.
Application Procedure:
Interested applicants should email Dr. Zhu at
including a cover letter outlining your research interests, a recent CV, and contact information for two academic references.
