Open Positions

Want to join us?

We are actively recruiting graduate students, postdocs, undergraduate students, and associate research scientists.

Our central goal is to mechanistically understand how disruptions to cellular homeostasis perturb protein quality control, organelle integrity, and protein folding in relation to neurological disease.

We apply a broad range of interdisciplinary methods, including high-throughput small molecule and CRISPR-based screens, biochemical assay development, quantitative microscopy, and bioinformatic approaches. With these techniques, we aim to map functional genetic networks that contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, assess how phase-transitions may promote proper protein folding within the nuclear pore complex, and investigate how structural perturbations to ER-resident proteins affect organelle integrity.

Example project opportunities include, but are not limited to:

(i) Identifying small molecules and genes that modulate aberrant condensates and restore protein quality control with therapeutic potential in neurodevelopmental disorders.

(ii) Investigate the role of condensates in driving neurodevelopmental disorders such as dystonia and microcephaly in the context of human patient iPSC-lines.

(iii) Establish in vitro and cellular Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based readouts to quantify differential rates of protein folding within the nuclear pore complex compared to other intracellular compartments.

(iv) Elucidation of the role of the protein NOMO1 in causing abnormal organelle morphology and the development of CRISPR-based screening methods.

(v) Identifying the molecular function and potential co-interactors of torsin proteins in the context of nuclear pore complex assembly and dystonia.

Our laboratory holds regular joint lab meetings with the Bahmanyar, King and Lusk laboratories (Yale Nucleus Club) representing three departments, offering many opportunities for collaborations and skill development.

If interested, please contact Christian Schlieker to discuss available opportunities.

Schlieker Lab Members

The Schlieker Lab is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where trainees from all backgrounds can thrive. Through regular one-on-one meetings and interactive lab discussions, I prioritize personalized mentorship while fostering collaboration and critical thinking. Lab members gain frequent opportunities to present their work in group meetings, seminars, and opportunities to attend international conferences, strengthening their communication skills and professional networks. My goal is for every trainee to leave the lab with rigorous scientific training and the confidence to succeed in academia, industry, or beyond.