Postdoctoral Fellow — Protein Engineering, Molecular Sensors & Spatial Sequencing Technologies

We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow to develop and apply new approaches in protein engineering, biosensor design, sequencing-coupled screening, and spatially resolved molecular technologies. You will work at the interface of protein display, sequencing, spatial readouts, and AI-guided design/engineering to build new molecular tools and use them to answer important biological questions.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Priority review begins: April 15, 2026 (open until filled).

About the Gu Lab

The Gu Lab at the University of Washington develops and applies next-generation molecular technologies at the interface of protein sensors, spatial omics, sequencing, and synthetic biology. Current directions include binder and sensor engineering, display- and sequencing-based screening, spatially resolved molecular readouts, and programmable molecular systems for applications in neuroscience, cancer, aging, immunology, and related areas.

The role

This position is primarily experimental, with strong opportunities to work closely with collaborators in computational biology and AI-based protein design. The postdoc will help drive projects from concept through dataset generation and biological application, and will contribute to a collaborative environment that connects wet-lab platform development, sequencing-based measurement, and model-guided engineering.

This is a strong fit for someone excited by generalizable platform building rather than a single narrow project. Depending on background and interests, the postdoc may emphasize one or more of the following:

• sequencing-coupled genotype–phenotype platforms for model training

• binder and sensor engineering for control or detection of biological molecules

• stimulus-responsive / allosteric protein systems that modulate enzyme or signaling functions

• biologically motivated sensor development for important questions in tissues or cells

Example projects

• Build sequencing-coupled protein engineering platforms that connect protein display or pooled experiments to large-scale sequence–function datasets for model-guided design

• Engineer allosteric binders and stimulus-responsive protein control systems to modulate enzyme activity or signaling behavior

• Develop molecular sensors for peptides and other biologically important targets, and deploy them to answer mechanistic questions in complex systems

• Integrate protein display, sequencing, and spatial or imaging-linked readouts to enable new genotype–phenotype measurement strategies

• Work with collaborators on AI-guided protein design/engineering, using experimental datasets to improve design cycles and test model predictions

What you’ll do

• Design, build, and test protein binders, biosensors, and engineered fusion proteins

• Develop and optimize protein display / screening workflows (for example, phage display and related genotype–phenotype selection systems)

• Generate and analyze sequencing-coupled functional datasets for protein engineering and model training

• Develop and run biochemical, fluorescence-based, and cell-based functional assays

• Contribute to the design of generalizable platforms that connect screening, sequencing, and downstream biological application

• Work closely with experimental and computational collaborators to interpret results and refine next design rounds

• Help mentor students/trainees and contribute to manuscripts, methods, and grant applications

Required qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Chemical Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biophysics, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field

• Strong background in at least one of the following:

- protein engineering

- molecular cloning and construct design

- display/screening methods

- sequencing-based assays

- biochemical or cell-based functional assays

• Interest in working across experimental and computational approaches

• Strong communication and organizational skills

• Commitment to rigorous, reproducible research

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with protein display methods (phage, yeast, or related approaches)

• Experience with biosensor or binder engineering

• Experience with directed evolution, screening, or library-based selection

• Experience with sequencing-linked assay design or genotype–phenotype mapping

• Experience with AI-guided / model-informed protein engineering workflows

• Experience with optogenetic or stimulus-responsive protein systems

• Interest in building technologies that bridge screening, sequencing, and biological application

What we offer

• High-impact, technology-driven projects at the frontier of protein engineering, biosensors, and spatial/sequencing technologies

• Close mentorship and substantial project ownership

• Opportunities to build generalizable platforms, not just execute predefined experiments

• An environment that combines experimental innovation, sequencing technology, and computational/model-guided thinking

• A collaborative, inclusive lab culture that values rigor, openness, and trainee development

Appointment details

•  Location: Seattle, WA (University of Washington).

•  Start date: flexible (mutually agreed).

•  International applicants are welcome; visa sponsorship and appointment terms follow UW policy.

Compensation & benefits

Salary and benefits follow UW policies for Postdoctoral Scholars and are determined by experience and appointment type.

How to apply

Email Dr. Liangcai Gu at gulc (at) uw.edu with subject line: “Postdoc — Protein Engineering / Molecular Sensors ”

Please include:

1. CV (including publications/preprints)

2. A brief cover letter (≤1 page) describing your background, interests, and why this position is a good fit

3. A short description of your most relevant research experience (for example: protein display, screening, protein engineering, sequencing-based assays, biosensors, AI-guided design, or related work)

4. Contact information for 2–3 references

Equal Opportunity

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.