Welcome!
1999-2004: Medical College of wisconsin, PhD
2004-2008: Harvard Medical School, Postdoctoral Fellow
2009- present: University of Texas at El Paso
My research focuses on how bacterial pathogens cause human diseases. I am particularly interested in understanding the roles of bacterial toxins and other virulent factors in bacterial pathogenesis and developing novel therapeutics against infection. Bacterial toxins and virulence factors that are also excellent model systems for us to investigate fundamental processes of biological sciences, including protein-membrane interaction, protein pore formation and membrane translocation.
Positions Available
The Dr. Jianjun Sun’s laboratory of bacterial pathogenesis in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has multiple positions for postdoctoral fellows (starting in Spring of 2017) and PhD graduate students (starting in Fall of 2017).
The primary research interest of Dr. Sun’s laboratory is to investigate the mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and recently focuses on Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis has been listed as a major infectious disease worldwide. We are investigating the basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of TB pathogenesis, and at the same time, we are developing novel therapeutic, preventive, diagnostic agents against TB.
Dr. Sun’s laboratory is well funded by NIH and the lab is equipped with the state-of-the-art research instruments with the capability of performing the cutting-edge biomedical researches ranging from structural and functional characterization of macromolecules to operations of animal models. As a world-leading lab in the study of Mtb virulence factors, Dr. Sun’s group is highly productive and has an important impact in the research field.
We are seeking highly motivated and dedicated young talents to join our research group. Individuals with a strong background in biochemistry, microbiology, cell and molecular biology are encouraged to apply. Candidates with backgrounds and experiences in mycobacterial biology (e.g. Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) are highly preferred.
Candidates are kindly requested to send the following materials to Dr. Sun at jsun@utep.edu
- Please indicate either postdoc or graduate student positions
- Personal Statement
- CV with a publication list (Applicants for PhD graduate students are encouraged to list GRE and/or TOEFL scores)
- 2-3 letters of recommendation upon requested
Founded in 1914, over the past 100 years, UTEP has become an important university in the University of Texas (UT) system. UTEP serves nearly 30,000 students and was ranked among the best 10 universities by Washington Monthly magazine in 2013 for its social engagement. UTEP is one of the fastest growing research institutions in US. The Border Biomedical Research Center, where Dr. Sun’s lab is located, is heavily funded by NIH and has state-of-the-art facilities for cutting-edge biomedical researches, including a Biosafety Level 3 laboratory, which is the only BSL-3 lab in the southwestern region. With friendly people and unique scenic views, the beautiful UTEP campus is residing at the foot of Franklin Mountain and the city of El Paso is ranked as one of the safest cities of its size in the U.S.
