Scientific Research Analyst (52613)

Gap Solutions•Research Triangle Park, NC

About The Position

The Scientific Research Analyst will provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences within the National Institutes of Health. This role involves maintaining and updating computers for X-ray facilities and workstations for structural biologists, as well as testing, installing, training, improving, and designing software related to crystallography, CryoEM, NMR, and graphical display of atomic structures. The analyst will provide scientific support to structural biologists and other NIEHS scientists, train users in methods and software for crystal and CryoEM structure determination, and work with staff on structure determination projects, including complex cases. Responsibilities include producing non-standard input files for software like Phenix, basic modeling of biochemical data, writing programs and scripts, and providing technical recommendations and scientific advice on methods in X-ray structure determination. The role also involves producing publication-quality graphical representations of macromolecular structures and assisting in the refinement of CryoEM structures. Work products will include documentation for computer maintenance, software, training, structure determination projects, input files, program development, and manuscript materials and methods sections. The position requires providing technical recommendations on X-ray structure determination methods and producing graphical representations.

Requirements

PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or Biophysics and six years of experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of crystallography software programs.
Excellent skill in producing graphical representations of macromolecular structures for publication or presentations.

Nice To Haves

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with non-technical and technical staff.
Detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects.

Responsibilities

Maintain and update computers associated with the X-ray facilities, and the individual workstations of NIEHS structural biologist.
Test, install, train, improve and design software related to crystallography, CryoEM, NMR and/or graphical display of atomic structures.
Provide scientific support to structural biologist and other NIEHS scientists.
Work with and train users in methods and use of current software for crystal and CryoEM structure determination.
Work with staff on structure determination projects, particularly complex and difficult structure determinations.
Produce non-standard input files including but not limited to topology and parameter files for Phenix.
Work with staff on basic modeling of biochemical data on known atomic structures.
Write programs including but not limited to simple scripts, conversion programs, modification of software, and refinement programs.
Provide both technical recommendations on software usage and scientific advice about methods in x-ray structure determination including data processing, heavy-atom searching, phasing, model building, and refinement.
Produce publication quality, informative graphical representations of macromolecular structures, including use of available software, producing stereo pairs, and finding informative layouts for three-dimensional objects.
Provide written documentation for Materials and Methods of manuscripts prepared using output from assistance provided.
Provide assistance to the structural biology community in refinement of CryoEM structures.