SEARCH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under the general direction of the Principle Investigator, the Research Associate II performs a variety of research experiments on a range of biochemical (enzymatic), biophysical and structural biology (x-ray; Cryo-EM) characterization of proteins pertinent to the interests of the research programs of the laboratory.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Research:

• Design and implement experiments to further ongoing research projects, in consultation with the principal investigator.
• Responsible for data acquisition, data analysis, and presentation of research results.
• Organize and analyze data acquired in the course of research projects.
• Prepare and present data for publication in public forums.
• Specific expertise in the study of enzymes is required including:
• Preparation of large milligram quantities of purified proteins that are amenable to protein crystallography.
• Engineering proteins to optimize expression and probe specific aspects of activity.
• Designing and optimizing well controlled enzymatic assays – including acquiring, processing, analyzing and preparing for public presentation (grants/seminars/articles) the data.
• Measuring kcat / Km and Kd by kinetic (fluorescent anisotropy) or thermodynamic (isothermal titration calorimetry) assays.
• Crystallization of apo and liganded proteins – with either substrates or inhibitors that are of quality for crystallographic studies.

Mentorship:

• Train and supervise junior lab personnel, ensuring staff is trained in current methodology and safety procedures in the laboratory.
• Participate regularly in laboratory meetings.
• Provide support for under-represented minorities scholars.
• Ensure researchers in the laboratory are aware of the experimental nuances and potential risks of their experiments – that they are using the optimal approach to obtain quality data.
• Coordinate the protein expression - crystallization efforts with regard to the various ongoing projects in the lab.

Laboratory Operations:

• Lead and coordinate the general operation of the laboratory.
• Maintaining records and samples of generated lab reagents: strains, plasmids, proteins and data.
• Maintain standard operating procedure of laboratory protocols and best practices.
• Run the lab in a positive supportive manner.
• Daily ordering of supplies, organizing lab supplies.
• Interface with vendors both around purchases and service contracts.
• Perform routine maintenance on specialized laboratory equipment and interface with vendors.
• Provide Departmental Support for shared instrumentation (ITC) and as part of the Structure Based Drug Design Core.
• Interface with collaborators across the University and around the Country.
• Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a Biological Science, or equivalent degree
• 5 years of research experience.
• Familiarity with general laboratory procedures.
• Expertise in specific procedures and instrumentation necessary to complete specific research programs.
• Current knowledge of pertinent literature.
• Oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Ability to travel to off-site locations