Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

Postdoctoral Fellows in Zhao Lab

Posted Date:

Position Description

My laboratory (https://zhaow2.wixsite.com/website-0618A)  in the Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology (BSB) and the Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI) at UT Health San Antonio is seeking two highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to study BRCA1/2 (Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene 1 and 2) mediated DNA repair and cancer biology. Our research programs are well supported by newly awarded NIH R01 grants (NIGMS and NCI), CPRIT grant, together with Rising STARs Award, Max and Minnie Tomerlin Voelcker Fund Young Investigator Award and V foundation Scholar Award. With a holistic approach, which encompasses biochemical reconstitution of complex biological reactions, single-molecular biophysics, structural biology, and cell-based analyses, we have made important discoveries concerning the roles that the tumor suppressor complexes BRCA1-BARD1, BRCA2-DSS1 and other related factors fulfill in the homology-directed repair of damaged chromosomes, some results have appeared in prestigious journals, including Journal of Cell Biology (2020), Nature (2017; highlighted in Nature News & Views; attracted 68 media attentions; ranked within the top one percent of over 281,780 research articles of a similar age), Nature Structural Molecular Biology (2017) and Molecular Cell (2015; selected as the cover story). Built upon those important breakthroughs and findings, research projects of the laboratory are to delineate BRCA1/2 biology and the protein interaction networks that regulate the tumor suppressor function of BRCA1 and BRCA2, and the drug response of patients who have germline and somatic BRCA1/2 mutations, with the goal of providing molecular insights to translate into effective regimens and personal medicine. 

Position Requirements

Applicants should have a recent Ph.D. (or expect to receive a doctoral degree soon), possess great experimental and communication skills, and demonstrate solid training in biochemistry or cell biology with 1-2 scientific publications. Previous research experience in DNA repair and cancer biology is preferred but not essential. In addition to competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, the successful candidates will be provided with strong support for developing an independent research career after postdoctoral training. All postdoctoral appointments are designated as security sensitive position. The University of Texas Health at San Antonio is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including protected veterans and persons with disabilities.

How to Apply

Please send (1) a cover letter describing your previous training, research accomplishments and future research interests, (2) your curriculum vitae, and (3) contact information of three references to Dr. Weixing Zhao at zhaow2@uthscsa.edu.

Contact information: Weixing Zhao Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Department of BSB & GCCRI

UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229


All postdoctoral appointments are designated as security sensitive positions. UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.