Title:  Research Assistant I - Drug Discovery

Summary

We are focused on developing therapeutics in the area of gene control and will leverage platforms and resources in The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and new innovations in the Therapeutic Innovation Center.   We are seeking talented biochemists to work in an interdisciplinary team environment on early therapeutic and drug discovery projects. As our key focus is on developing specific inhibitors of the gene regulation, this work will focus on purifying a wide variety of proteins and testing for the biochemical activity of different inhibitors in development.

Job Duties

• Executes experimental protocols.
• Clearly documents and communicates (oral and written) experimental results and progress.
• Assists in the preparation of laboratory reports.
• Annotates and maintains collaborative protocol repositories for all lab members.
• Works effectively in a highly dynamic, multi-disciplinary, collaborative environment.
• Cleans and maintains laboratory equipment, supplies and work areas.
• There is periodic exposure to unpleasant conditions but the work is still viewed as relatively comfortable in a laboratory environment.
• Frequently handles/works with biohazards or risks for potential job-related injury, such as those found in an ordinary laboratory environment.
• May assign activities to less experienced research staff and assist with training new employees in protein purification and insect cell culture.
• Execute purification of proteins from E. coli and S. frugiperda.
• Executes mammalian cell culture and follows sterile techniques.
• Develops standardized ATPase assays to enable platform assessment of compounds to enable SAR.
• Utilize FPLC to analyze and polish purified protein.
• Execute biochemical assays such as ADP-glo, Fluorescence Polarization, TSA.
• Utilize several of the following techniques: standard subcloning (restriction digest based, Gateway, etc), growing and transfecting S. fruigiperda, baculovirus creation and utilization, SDS-page gels and western blotting. 
• Execute biochemical assays to test for activity and inhibition target proteins.
• Maintains a strong grasp of current literature to assist the lab with staying up to date with publications.
• Maintains FPLC machines and columns.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry or related field of science and at least four years of relevant experience.
• Master’s degree in biochemistry or related field of science preferred.