Senior Research Associate I

Description

Date: December 17, 2024

Title: Senior Research Associate (Laboratory Research)

Department: Nutrition

School: Medicine

Location: BRB 931

Supervisor Name and Title: David T. Lodowski, PhD, Assistant Professor of Nutrition

 

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The Lodowski lab focuses on protein structure and function utilizing a combination of X-ray crystallography, computational biology, biophysical analysis and mass spectroscopy; these techniques are employed to further a funded project which seeks to build, design and understand biosensor molecules and their properties. The Senior Research Associate will oversee research projects within the lab, providing scientific oversight, guidance to lab members, and lab management in the absence of the principal investigator. The Senior Research Associate will utilize skills in biochemistry (including but not limited to protein expression, purification and characterization, structural modeling and X-ray crystallographic structure determination.) The Senior Research Associate will keep the PI informed of progress of research projects and provide recommendations on experimental design and project plans. The Senior Research Associate will also present data and findings at lab and scientific meetings, seminars, etc., prepare manuscripts, and contribute preliminary data for grant proposals. 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.     Provide scientific oversight of all research projects, including data collection and maintenance. Establish and manage the day-to-day priorities of the research staff. 10%

2.     With the principal investigator, establish goals and objectives for the efficient and timely completion of projects. Meet regularly with the principal investigator to review and set priorities, staff/student-related issues, and future research staff and planning 5%.

3.     Coordinate experiments performed by other lab members, ensuring adequate resources, assisting with experimental design and analysis. Oversee progress of the research projects and provide regular progress reports to the PI; and provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects. Ensure the PI is informed about the results of lab members, and ensure the PI’s experimental strategy is explored by lab members and through independent experiments by the Senior Research Associate. 5%

4.     Independently and with the principal investigator, design, plan, and execute research projects with the aim of improving biosensor design. Maintain accurate records of data and provide findings and recommendations to the PI based on analysis. This will consist of panning/scanning for new aptamer or other sensor entities, their structural and biophysical analysis, modeling and additional design insights to improve their properties for integration into a functional sensor. 40%

5.     Manage X-ray data collection time and access, including submitting timely time requests and renewal of applications at NSLS-II, APS and any other needed synchrotrons. Final reports and beamtime surveys are to be competed after every data collection event. Assist in preparing / prepare annual reports for synchrotrons that require this for access. 5%

6.     Mentor and train graduate students; oversee research work and ensure pro jects are being completed according to the research plan. This will involve teaching other members of the lab protein expression and scientific discovery methods, including students and post-docs. Assist and teach both established and new research techniques to other lab members to facilitate their experiments. Coordinate trainings for lab members with the EHS and others, as needed. 10%

7.     Present data and findings at laboratory meetings, quarterly grant reviews and scientific meetings, seminars, etc. Prepare quarterly bookkeeping reports for review by the AFRL and other funders. An expectation for the eventual preparation and writing of manuscripts, and contributions of preliminary data for grant proposals is also included in this task.  10%

8.     Independently author research projects. Assemble data and make publication-quality figures from analyzed data. With the highest level of integrity and responsible conduct of research, participate in writing manuscripts as