Senior Scientist, Structural Biology

Role Summary

This role will focus primarily on determination of protein and protein-ligand complex structures to enable structure-based drug discovery using either X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM. The responsibilities of this new position include setting up crystallization trials, crystal optimization, or EM grid preparation, in addition to data processing, structure refinement and determination using either X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM. You will closely collaborate with our scientists and contribute to protein production efforts on novel and challenging drug-discovery projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute protocols to obtain high-quality diffracting crystals for structure determination using X-ray crystallography
• Develop and execute protocols for grid optimization, data collection, and data processing for structure determination using Cryo-EM
• Expression and purification of protein for structure determination
• Collaborate with colleagues to characterize and validate protein ligand interaction for structural studies
• Collaborate with colleagues to optimize protein constructs for structure determination
• Maintains a high level of professional expertise through accurate and detailed record keeping and familiarity with scientific literature.
• Work collaboratively with lab associates in a matrix setting to maintain our current structural biology workflow and expand our capabilities.
• Present and communicate results with protein science colleagues and project teams.

Qualifications

• BS/MS degree in structural biology, biochemistry, life sciences, molecular biology or related field with at least 4 years of relevant research laboratory experience.
• Proven in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM, including crystal optimization, grid preparation, data collection, data processing, structure refinement, and analysis and interpretation of protein structures
• Experience with structural analysis and structure interpretation of protein and ligand interaction
• Excellent collaboration, communication (oral and written) and organizational skills and the ability to present work formally to project teams and scientific research committees.
• Strong desire to learn new techniques in the areas of protein biochemistry, biophysics and structural biology.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with membrane protein biochemistry including expression, purification, characterization and functional assays
• Proficient with various protein expression systems, E. coli, baculovirus, and mammalian
• Proficient with various protein purification techniques, i.e. affinity, ion exchange, size exclusion chromatography
• Exposure to biophysical methods for validating ligand protein interactions