Research Scientist

UVA Health•Charlottesville, VA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine seeks a Staff Scientist for a collaborative project between the Levental, Bao, Kenworthy, and Kiessling/Tamm groups. The Staff Scientist will investigate the hypothesis that proteins recruit specific paralipidomes by purifying membrane proteins from mammalian expression systems and facilitating mass spec based lipidomic analysis. Primary responsibilities will include establishing and maintaining mammalian expression systems for large-scale membrane protein production, membrane protein isolation in sufficient yields for lipidomics, data analysis and interpretation, as well as manuscript preparation. It is expected that these tasks will require significant methods development, as various aspects of the project are being newly established. Another key aspect of the role is interfacing across four labs. Staff Scientists provide technical lab support by performing complex lab and research related tasks. They act as specialists on research methods and equipment functions specific to research projects. They have the authority to adapt methods and procedures to meet the needs of research. They are distinguished from Lab Technicians by the types and duration of assignments, as well as the skills and expertise necessary to serve as resources on non-routine problems. Staff Scientists perform daily activities without supervision; their longer-term assignments require greater oversight. Specialize in protein expression, isolation, biophysical characterization, and lipidomics data analysis. Demonstrate expertise in troubleshooting problems and recommending solutions. Assist in evaluation of research methods, procedures, and techniques based on established objectives. Provide basic assistance to researchers in manipulating, computing, and analyzing data. Evaluate experiment results using statistical and multivariate analyses. Research, compile, and maintain complex statistical, numerical, and computerized reports. Perform library and literature research. Assist in training other staff members on procedures. Explain work and adapt general methods and procedures to meet research needs. In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

PhD in molecular biology/biochemistry/biophysics required
4+ year of relevant lab experience required
Protein biochemistry experience
Lipid biophysics experience

Responsibilities

Establishing and maintaining mammalian expression systems for large-scale membrane protein production
Membrane protein isolation in sufficient yields for lipidomics
Data analysis and interpretation
Manuscript preparation
Methods development
Interfacing across four labs
Performing complex lab and research related tasks
Acting as specialists on research methods and equipment functions specific to research projects
Adapting methods and procedures to meet the needs of research
Performing daily activities without supervision
Specializing in protein expression, isolation, biophysical characterization, and lipidomics data analysis
Troubleshooting problems and recommending solutions
Assisting in evaluation of research methods, procedures, and techniques based on established objectives
Providing basic assistance to researchers in manipulating, computing, and analyzing data
Evaluating experiment results using statistical and multivariate analyses
Researching, compiling, and maintaining complex statistical, numerical, and computerized reports
Performing library and literature research
Assisting in training other staff members on procedures
Explaining work and adapting general methods and procedures to meet research needs