Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The newly established Huang Research Group in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate how post-translational modifications regulate proteins involved in cell–cell adhesion. The research will integrate top-down proteomics, molecular engineering, and biochemical and cell-based approaches to connect protein modification states with molecular interactions and cellular function. The position offers an opportunity to develop and apply advanced protein mass spectrometry methods using state-of-the-art Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) instrumentation.

Requirements

• Appropriate PhD in a related field.
• Duties may require moving heavy gas cylinders and tanks.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, cell biology, or a related field, and at least one first-author publication reporting original doctoral research.
• Hands-on experience in proteomics or metabolomics using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry with knowledge of Orbitrap FTMS technology, charge-detection mass spectrometry, and top-down proteomics.
• Experience characterizing intact proteins, proteoforms, and post-translational modifications.
• Experience with bacterial and mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, lentiviral transduction, and stable mammalian cell line generation.
• Experience with protein chromatography.
• Experience with biochemical or cell-based assays.
• Familiarity with mass spectrometry data acquisition or analysis platforms, such as Xcalibur, Proteome Discoverer, ProSight, UniDec, TopPIC, or FragPipe.
• Experience using R and/or Python for data analysis and visualization.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills that support productive collaborations.
• Ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to learn new methods, critically evaluate scientific literature, and formulate testable hypotheses.

Responsibilities

• Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots a Thermo Scientific Vanquish Neo liquid chromatography system coupled to a Tribrid Orbitrap mass spectrometer.
• Develops and optimizes sample preparation, separation, and mass spectrometry methods for intact protein and proteoform characterization.
• Designs and generates protein expression constructs.
• Establishes and maintains stable mammalian cell lines and performs bacterial and mammalian cell culture.
• Expresses, purifies, and characterizes proteins for top-down proteomics and studies of protein structure and function.
• Analyzes research data, evaluate results, and develop hypotheses to guide subsequent experiments.
• Assists, mentors, and supervises undergraduate and graduate student researchers.
• Writes, contributes, attends and presents research findings at group meetings, collaborative discussions, and regional and national conferences.
• Investigates how post-translational modifications influence protein interactions and the molecular regulation of cell–cell adhesion.
• Supports daily laboratory operations and maintains a safe, organized research environment.
• Performs other research-related duties as required by the project.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.
• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.
• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree