RESEARCH ASSISTANT II-Schiffner Lab

ABOUT US: Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We are celebrating our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program.  We work hand-in-hand with researchers of the Scripps Research Translational Institute and Calibr to merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

Celebrating a Century:  https://100.scripps.edu/
 

POSITION TITLE:  Research Assistant II
 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Schiffner lab at Scripps Research is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Research Associate II with experience molecular biology. The successful candidate will be responsible for high-throughput screening of novel immunogen candidates using protein expression in human cell culture and screening by Biolayer interferometry and assist in the further optimization of the platform. The successful candidate will also assist in directed evolution experiments, including DNA library assembly, transformation/transfection of human or yeast cells, staining for fluorescence-activated cell sorting and sequencing. The candidate will perform these duties smoothly while handling additional matters as they arise.

 RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Support projects and team members by accurately performing high-throughput protein expression and screening of mammalian cell culture supernatants using biolayer interferometry.
• Troubleshoot technical and instrumentation issues and recommend solutions independently and/or in collaboration with others.
• Assemble DNA libraries using standard molecular biology techniques and transform bacterial or yeast cells or transfection of human cells.
• With the scientific teams, stain cells for fluorescence-activated cell sorting.
• Work independently while adhering to established protocols.
• Troubleshoot technical and instrumentation issues and recommend solutions independently and/or in collaboration with others.
• Plan and execute experiments accurately and efficiently to meet deadlines.
• Clear written and oral communication skills to support team members and pass on results and troubleshoot problems.
• Excellent attention to details, self-motivation, and creative thinking will be essential.
• Prepare and follow standard operating procedures, batch records, and other process documentation.
• Responsible for ordering any essential consumables within the assigned roles.
• Other non-routine tasks in support of research may be assigned in the future.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been attained. Re
• Requires 3-5 years’ experience. Candidates possessing a master’s degree, 2+ years’ experience required.
• Minimum 1 year of protein expression in mammalian cells
• Experience with biolayer interferometry is beneficial
• Experience with fluorescence-activated cell sorting is beneficial
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficient in GraphPad Prism is beneficial
• Demonstrated analytical thinking, quick learner, and good listener with ability to follow oral and written instructions and protocols
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently, be enthusiastic and take initiative in spearheading project goals with guidance from senior scientists