Title:  Postdoctoral Associate - Synthetic Biology and Biosensor Engineering

Summary

St-Pierre Lab (stpierrelab.com; Twitter: @StPierreLab) develops and applies new tools for perturbing and imaging the brain. We develop fluorescent indicators of neural activity (e.g., voltage indicators), light-gated proteins to control neural activity (e.g. optogenetic silencers), photostable fluorescent proteins (e.g., mGold YFP), and genetic circuits to control protein expression (e.g., Equalizers). We are looking for a motivated, organized, and resourceful scientist with expertise in molecular biology or synthetic biology to accelerate our efforts to build and disseminate molecular tools of broad utility. The ability to properly document results is critical for this position. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop cutting-edge molecular technologies, learn new skills, and be part of an enjoyable workplace.

Job Purpose

Postdoctoral Associates are trainees working in an apprenticeship mode in preparation for a career as a scientific professional.

Job Duties

• Conduct research projects, both independently and with others.
• Purchase, setting up, and maintaining equipment necessary to conduct research.
• Teach techniques, procedures, and experimental design to other members of the lab. 
• Communicate research results during our group meetings and in conferences.

Minimum Qualifications

• MD or Ph.D in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
• No experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Publishing experience: Candidates must have published or submitted a minimum of 1 first-author paper in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal in English. (co-first authors are accepted). If you have a first-author manuscript in preparation (but not submitted), please contact me directly using the email listed here: https://www.stpierrelab.com/people
• Technical skills. Candidates must be able to clone genes into plasmid vectors. Candidates must therefore be able to design primers, perform PCR, gel extraction, transform DNA in bacteria, and miniprep plasmids from bacterial cultures. Highly desired: the ability to stitch two or more DNA fragments in the same vector, for example using overlap PCR, In-Fusion, or Gibson Assembly.

Other

• Please include a recent CV and the contact information for 3 references who can attest to your accomplishments and your potential as a scientist. Please include your Ph.D. advisor as one of the two references (or contact me if there is an issue with including her/him). A short cover letter or paragraph explaining your interest in the position would be helpful but is not required.