Research Technician / Assistant / Associate, Biophysics

UT Southwestern Medical Center • Dallas, TX

14h

About The Position

Works under general direction to either plan, coordinate, supervise, and participate in assigned research projects or perform more complex research assignments requiring considerable experience and thorough knowledge of techniques and practices related to particular field of medical or scientific research.

We seek applicants with an interest in working to understand biological mechanisms in fundamental terms and at the molecular level. Our research aims to discover and quantify the structural and biochemical mechanisms that dictate microtubule polymerization dynamics and their modulation by regulatory factors. Microtubules are dynamic non-covalent protein polymers with essential roles organizing the intracellular space, orchestrating faithful segregation of the genome during cell division, and providing tracks for motor-based transport. Most of our work consists of in vitro experiments using purified proteins including the polymerizing subunit of microtubules (ab-tubulin) or a variety of regulatory factors.
Prior experience with some combination of PCR/cloning/mutagenesis, protein expression and purification, will be very helpful but is not strictly necessary, especially for more entry-level titles. The work is fast-paced and often pivots in response to exciting new findings, so curiosity and adaptability are valuable character traits in an applicant. The successful candidate will be someone motivated to understand how things work and who enjoys working in a collaborative environment. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to make significant contributions advancing the understanding of a fundamental process in cell biology.
Position activities will encompass some combination of the following:
Creating reagents to express new site-directed tubulin mutants
Expressing (in yeast or in insect cells) and purifying tubulin and its mutants – Measuring microtubule polymerization dynamics in the light microscope, and analyzing the resulting data
Preparing samples for cryo-electron microscopy
Performing analytical assays for interactions and/or stability
Using yeast genetic approaches to identify new tubulin mutations based on phenotypic analysis
Maintaining reliable records of experiments, protocols, and results
Contributing to laboratory operations by maintaining instruments, reagents, and inventory. using appropriate standards and methods to insure meaningful results.
Maintain laboratory reagents and supplies.
Maintain inventory and order supplies as needed.
Other related duties as assigned

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with some combination of PCR/cloning/mutagenesis, protein expression and purification, will be very helpful but is not strictly necessary, especially for more entry-level titles.
• The work is fast-paced and often pivots in response to exciting new findings, so curiosity and adaptability are valuable character traits in an applicant.
• The successful candidate will be someone motivated to understand how things work and who enjoys working in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Creating reagents to express new site-directed tubulin mutants
• Expressing (in yeast or in insect cells) and purifying tubulin and its mutants
• Measuring microtubule polymerization dynamics in the light microscope, and analyzing the resulting data
• Preparing samples for cryo-electron microscopy
• Performing analytical assays for interactions and/or stability
• Using yeast genetic approaches to identify new tubulin mutations based on phenotypic analysis
• Maintaining reliable records of experiments, protocols, and results
• Contributing to laboratory operations by maintaining instruments, reagents, and inventory.
• Maintaining laboratory reagents and supplies.
• Maintaining inventory and order supplies as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100%25 coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed