Job Information
Rockefeller University Research Specialist in New York, New York
Job: IRC27228
Description
Job Title Research Specialist
Laboratory / Department 114120 Ruta Laboratory
Department Description
The Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior takes advantage of the relatively simple nervous system of the fruit fly Drosophila to examine how flexibility is engineered into the nervous system to give rise to adaptive behaviors, at the level of both individuals and species. We examine how learning rapidly shapes neural pathways to allow each member of a species to respond appropriately to their unique experience of the world. We also consider how neural circuits are adapted over longer evolutionary time scales to give rise to species-specific behaviors. Our lab employs a multidisciplinary approach, from biochemistry to behavior, with the goal of revealing the neural basis for flexible behavior at high resolution.
Detailed Description
The Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Behavior is seeking an experienced biochemist that will work as part of a small team to carry out structure-function studies of olfactory receptors. The work will include designing and engineering expression vectors, receptor purification, and functional and structural characterization of their odorant tuning. To learn more about our group's work, please see our recent publication in which we provide insight into the structural basis of promiscuous odorant recognition.
Job Requirements
Bachelor's degree in science required; Master's degree and educational emphasis in biochemistry, structural biology, pharmacology, or a closely related field preferred. Must have several years of biochemistry experience purifying recombinant proteins from heterologous expression systems and optimizing purification conditions. Experience with membrane protein purification is highly desirable. Must have a comprehensive understanding of protein chemistry and biochemistry methodologies, the ability to perform complex experiments with high reliability and accuracy with minimal supervision, and excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills. Must be detail-oriented, self-driven, and possess the experience and knowhow to troubleshoot experimental challenges. Experience with PCR, cloning, mammalian and insect tissue culture, baculovirus production, cell transfection and infection, affinity purification, fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography, protein electrophoresis (Native, SDS-PAGE, and western blot), cell-based functional assays, and cryo-electron microscopy required. Experience with molecular modeling and protein structure predictions would be an asset but is not required. Must be a creative thinker, excited to work in a dynamic interdisciplinary environment, and be an active technical and conceptual contributor to a research program.
Additional Details
This job requires that employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Rockefeller University provides reasonable accommodations where legally required including accommodations for medical conditions and sincerely held religious beliefs.
The Rockefeller University is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans