Research Scientist

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The laboratory of Dr. Jagannathan seeks to hire a Research Scientist to work on leading edge questions in RNA surveillance. Our lab is in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. We study how cells detect and degrade aberrant RNAs, and how dysregulation of this surveillance process contributes to human disease. The Research Instructor will work on exciting projects related to cellular mRNA surveillance using imaging, genome engineering, and high-throughput sequencing. The ideal candidate will have a doctoral degree in biological sciences or a related field. Proficiency in genomic technologies and gene editing, as well as competency in computational analyses of high-throughput sequencing data, is expected. The candidate must be self-motivated, organized, communicate effectively, and be a team player. Our department conducts research across a wide biological scale for fundamental scientific understanding with applications to many disease contexts. The overarching goal is to reach a level of molecular insight that helps develop therapeutic approaches to disease. As biochemists and molecular geneticists, we are amid an unprecedented time of discovery - our conception of the molecular biology of cells is going from the equivalent of grainy black-and-white to high-resolution technicolor. From deciphering the choreography of transcription complexes, chromosomes, and RNA molecules within cells to developing novel approaches to 3D molecular structure determination to understanding how viruses hijack a cell’s machinery and alter its metabolome, the researchers in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) are at the forefront of their fields, conceptually and technologically.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, or a closely related field
Five years of postdoctoral or equivalent professional research experience relevant to RNA biology, gene regulation, or molecular/cellular biology
Demonstrated experience with molecular biology and/or cell biology techniques relevant to RNA research
Experience generating and/or working with high-throughput sequencing data (e.g., RNA-seq or related genomic datasets)
Experience with computational or bioinformatic analysis of biological data using Python and/or R, or similar programming languages
Strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology, with relevance to RNA biology and gene regulation
Proficiency in experimental design, execution, and data interpretation in a biomedical research setting
Experience with computational analysis of high-throughput data, including scripting and pipeline development in Python and/or R
Ability to analyze complex datasets, draw clear conclusions, and apply best practices for reproducible research
Demonstrated skill in scientific communication, including manuscript preparation and data visualization
Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and meet research deadlines
Demonstrated ability to train and mentor junior scientists
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to contribute to a collaborative, inclusive research environment

Nice To Haves

Research experience focused on RNA surveillance, RNA decay, or RNA quality control pathways
Experience with genome engineering techniques (e.g., CRISPR/Cas-based approaches)
Experience with cellular imaging techniques
Advanced experience designing and implementing custom data analysis pipelines for high-throughput sequencing data
Prior experience mentoring or training junior researchers (students, technicians, or trainees)
Evidence of scholarly productivity, such as peer-reviewed publications
Experience applying for fellowships or research funding, or demonstrated interest in doing so

Responsibilities

Plan and execute independent experimental work to pursue long-term research goals
Analyze high throughput datasets by designing and writing custom data analysis pipelines (in Python and/or R)
Assist in the writing and publication of experimental results
Train and mentor junior scientists in the lab
Applying for fellowships and grants, if eligible