RESEARCH ASSISTANT I - Mravic Lab

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POSITION TITLE:  Research Assistant I

POSITION SUMMARY:

Perform a variety of routine scientific tasks; may prepare test specimens; set up and operate standard lab equipment of moderate complexity.

The Mravic Lab is a protein engineering and computational design group seeking to hire a highly motivated full-time Research Assistant to characterize the impact and behavior of synthetic transmembrane proteins in mammalian cell culture for biotechnology applications. 

The work will facilitate training in a suite of common and cutting-edge cell-based assays for studying protein-protein interactions, signaling pathways, response to drug/ligand treatment, protein expression/localization, etc.  The scientist will perform molecular DNA cloning, introduce synthetic genes to express exogenous designer proteins within human cells in culture, and perform molecular / biochemical techniques quantifying changes in signaling pathways and/or protein complexes form in the cell. 

Projects will require enacting lab standard protocols, including the ability for fast-paced adaptation to optimize or troubleshoot new challenges.  As well, new laboratory procedures may be developed alongside the guidance of senior scientists.  The research is multi-disciplinary in nature, thus the ability to adapt and a willingness to learn new methods are essential.  Additional opportunities for training in computational biology and biophysics / structural biology may be available for those candidates with existing related skillsets.  Significant emphasis is placed on the professional development of the Research Assistant.

 RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

General:

• Perform research and conduct a wide variety of standard non-repetitive laboratory procedures under minimal supervision, independently and in collaboration with others.
• Record and analyze data, and interpret results.
• Investigate, troubleshoot and modify methods and procedures as necessary; may assist in designing experiments.
• Perform laboratory support tasks for the group and project: routine equipment maintenance, preparing common reagents, organization, ordering materials, etc.
• Details of essential functions for this position will be discussed during the interview process.
• Impeccable record keeping via laboratory notebook documentation and data management.
• Contribute to academic research publications; preparing manuscript figures, writing methodology sections, and supplemental material.
• Effective scientific communication through formal and informal presentations of concepts and results, including at laboratory meetings.

Technical:  

• Molecular biology, DNA cloning (PCR, gene assembly, etc.), transformation of laboratory e. coli strains, plasmid isolation (mini/maxi-prep).
• Culture, maintenance, and transfection of mammalian cells, adherent strains (HEK, CHO, etc.).
• Cell-based assays using diverse reporter systems: enzymes, proteins, or dyes (luminescence, fluorescence, absorbance, FRET, etc.).
• Characterization of protein expression and localization: immunofluorescence microscopy (fixed cells), flow cytometry (live cells), Western Blot (lysates).
• Co-immunoprecipitation, isolation of protein complexes for further analysis.
• Protein engineering library screening based on reporter and phenotypic laboratory evolution/selection; next-generation DNA sequencing.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Requires a bachelor's degree in relevant scientific discipline.
• 1-3 years of related full-time laboratory work experience, or Master’s degree conducting research.     

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. or M.S. degree in biochemistry, bioengineering, biology, or related field.
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