Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Chemistry

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,583.34 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

Texas A&M University’s Department of Chemistry, is a cadre of faculty, staff, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, academic advisors, scientific and technical staff, who have a shared purpose of translating our passion for chemistry to young scholars at all levels in many scientific fields. The Business Office strives to support the goals of the faculty, staff and students in teaching, research and outreach programs, and adheres to the professional standards and integrity in processing university Business. To learn more, please visit our website: http://www.chem.tamu.edu/

What We Want

The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to multiple projects investigating metal ion trafficking and regulation in biological systems. This position will identify and characterize non-transferrin-bound iron in transgenic mice with iron-overload disease, utilizing spectroscopic techniques and chromatography. Additionally, the position will explore labile metal pools in cells, focusing on transition metals, sulfur, and phosphorus metabolism using liquid chromatography with on-line ICP-MS detection. Furthermore, they will analyze genetic strains of cells to understand metal ion trafficking/regulation and investigating copper trafficking mechanisms, including developing assays for cytochrome c oxidase activity and utilizing copper isotopes for tracking. In addition, the Postdoctoral Researcher will be involved in identifying and characterizing an unknown iron and sulfur species exported from mitochondria.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will collaborate with mathematicians to conduct the computational modeling of metal ion trafficking and regulation. Not to mention, they will integrate experimental and computational approaches. The role will execute common biochemical procedures, train students, and contribute to lab maintenance and organization. They will play a key role in various research projects spanning metal ion biology, spectroscopy, chromatography, computational modeling, and general biochemistry protocols. If this job description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

 

What You Need to Know

Salary Range: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

Work Schedule: Ability to work evening and/or weekend hours as needed.

Required Education and Experience:

• Appropriate Ph.D. in Science or Chemistry

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift, move, and transfer heavy weight with extended standing as needed

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Expertise in aspects needed to conduct the proposed research

• Ability to work effectively, productively, and efficiently

• Ability to communicate effectively with other members of the lab

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

• Ability to work effectively with individuals

Responsibilities:

• Research: Conducts experimental laboratory research in assigned project(s) determined by PI.

• Identification and Characterization of Non-Transferrin-bound Iron: Investigates the blood and organs of transgenic mice with iron-overload disease. Helps breed mice with deletions in two genes, namely HJV and ZIP14. Examines the blood and organs of these animals using Mössbauer and EPR spectroscopies, microscopy, and chromatography. Helps operate and maintains the four Mossbauer spectrometers in the lab.

• Investigations into Labile Metal Pools: This project will focus on transition metals (e.g., iron, copper, zinc) and/or sulfur and phosphorus metabolism in cells. The major tool involves liquid chromatography with on-line ICP-MS detection.

• Metal Ion trafficking and Regulation in Biological Systems: Analyzes how various genetic strains of cells alter metal ion trafficking/regulation relative to in wild-type cells. For iron, this project will involve Mössbauer and EPR spectroscopies of whole cells and isolated organelles as well as numerous other biophysical, bioanalytical, or bioinorganic methods.

• Copper Trafficking: Determines how copper is trafficked from cytosol to mitochondria for installation into cytochrome c oxidase. Develops an assay for cytochrome c oxidase activity and the use of copper isotopes to follow trafficking.

• Identification and Characterization of “X-S”. X-S is an unknown iron and sulfur species that is hypothesized to be exported from mitochondria and used in cytosolic iron-sulfur cluster assembly. Develops an assay to monitor the process and developing methods to identify this species.

• Computational Modeling of Metal Ion Trafficking and Regulation in Cells: Has a reasonably strong math background and experience in coding (Mathematica, Matlab, or Python preferred) as this position may work with mathematicians for this project. This project would involve both experimental and computational aspects (half each) as the two sides are inherently intertwined and reinforcing. Models involve ordinary differential-equation descriptions of biochemical reaction networks operating within growing cells.

• General Biochemistry and lab protocols: All projects will involve the execution of common biochemical procedures and methods. These include growing cells, isolating organelles, manipulating, and characterizing cell extracts, electrophoresis, PCR reactions, and imaging. Responsible for training and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. Assist and help maintain and operate the lab.

• Data Analysis: Analyzes and organize data as needed to conduct effective research. Helps disseminate data results and participate in group meetings, help prepares manuscripts, generate reports, and make scientific presentations.

• Meetings and Seminars: Attends scientific meetings and seminars for research enhancement.  Keeps up to date on scientific research via reading of literature, etc.  Provides advice and assistance to other laboratory team members. Acts as a mentor to students.  Maintains laboratory instrumentation and follow applicable safety standards.

Why Texas A&M University? 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays 

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave  and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more 

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.