Summary

This is a lab bench research staff position in an Institutional Advanced Technology Core Core Facility for "Recombinant Protein Production and Purification Core (RPPPC)". The primary mission of the RPPP Core is to provide technical and scientific expertise for expression and purification of recombinant proteins of interest for BCM investigators. Core services are comprehensive including up-front experimental design and construction of expression vectors, expression of recombinant proteins in various scale-up cell culture systems (bacteria, insect and mammalian cells), protein purification and quality control characterization of purified protein products. Position requires strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology and extensive research experience with cell culture technologies, protein purification and biochemical analysis and characterization of proteins.

Job Duties

• Provide expression, purification and characterization of recombinant proteins as a comprehensive core support service to BCM investigators. The core lab provides these services to over 40 BCM investigators per year.
• Conduct an entire project from beginning to-end in a relatively independent manner using standard operating procedures and instruments established by the Core.
• Provide direct on-going communication on the progress of projects with the investigator and an end-report presentation of the results to both the investigator and core Director
• Follow standard operating procedure other job competencies and duties will include evaluation and analysis of experimental results, reading and preparing information from primary literature and engaging in research projects to develop new technologies and methods to apply as core services.
• Maintain inventory and order supplies for projects, equipment maintenance, prepare general lab reagents and other quality control procedures.
• Perform other job related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Basic Science or a related field.  Experience in lieu of degree will not be accepted.
• Three years of relevant experience typically as a Research Assistant, Research Technician or Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate.

Department Specific Criteria

• Master of Science degree in appropriate areas of biological sciences with focus on biochemistry and molecular biology.
• At least 3 years of related experience in basic science biomedical research laboratories after formal education.
• Research experience with demonstrated expertise is required in the following areas: biochemical characterization of proteins, protein purification, column chromatography, protein quantification and detection methods, molecular cloning of gene expression vectors, plasmid preparations and analysis, DNA and RNA isolation, general cell culture techniques and gene transfection of mammalian cell cultures. Successful candidate should have sufficient skills and experience to conduct complete experimental standard operating procedures in an independent manner and to be able to trouble shoot problems and bring them to the attention of core directors.

Because this is an Institutional shared resource facility collaborating on research projects for many investigators, the position requires a number of other core competencies:

• Excellent communication (written and oral), organization, time-management, record keeping and customer service skills.
• Ability to pay attention to details, perform experiments with highest quality control standards and to meet deadlines.