Research Associate – Protein Purification

The Research Associate role is a lab bench research staff position in an Institutional Advanced Technology Core Core Facility for “Recombinant Protein Production and Characterization Core – RPPCC)”. The primary mission of the RPPCC is to provide technical and scientific expertise for expression and purification of recombinant proteins of interest for BCM investigators. Core services are comprehensive including up-front experimental design and construction of expression vectors, expression of recombinant proteins in various scale-up cell culture systems (bacteria, insect and mammalian cells), protein purification and quality control characterization of purified protein products. Position requires strong background in biochemistry and molecular biology and extensive research experience with cell culture technologies, protein purification and biochemical analysis and characterization of proteins.

The core lab provides services to over 40 BCM investigators per year. The Core Director, assigns specific projects to the research staff, and this position is expected to be able to conduct an entire project from beginning to-end in a relatively independent manner using standard operating procedures and instruments established by the Core. This is a research staff position with major time and effort conducting lab bench research using standard operating operating procedures established by the Core. A minor amount of time is required for lab management duties.

Job Duties

• Provide expression, purification and characterization of recombinant proteins as a comprehensive core support service to BCM investigators.
• Provide direct on-going communication on the progress of projects with the investigator and an end-report presentation of the results to both the investigator and core Director.
• Follow standard operating procedure.
• Evaluation and analysis of experimental results, read and prepare information from primary literature and engaging in research projects to develop new technologies and methods to apply as core services.
• Maintain inventory and order supplies for projects, equipment maintenance, prepare general lab reagents and other quality control procedures,
• Sole responsibility for this position is within the Protein and Monoclonal Antibody Production Core, an Institutional Advanced Technology Core.
• May supervise less experienced research staff in terms of providing some training, advice and help with trouble shooting problems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Basic Science or a related field.  Experience in lieu of degree will not be accepted.
• Three years of relevant experience typically as a Research Assistant, Research Technician or Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Sciences degree in appropriate areas of biological sciences with focus on biochemistry and molecular biology.
• Experience in basic science biomedical research laboratories after formal education.
• Research experience with demonstrated expertise is required in the following areas: biochemical characterization of proteins , protein purification, column chromatography, protein quantification and detection methods, molecular cloning of gene expression vectors, plasmid preparations and analysis, DNA and RNA isolation, general cell culture techniques and gene transfection of mammalian cell cultures.
• Must have sufficient skills and experience to conduct complete experimental standard operating procedures in an independent manner and to be able to trouble shoot problems and bring them to the attention of core directors.
• Collaborate on research projects for many investigators, the position requires a number of other core competencies: excellent communication (written and oral), organization, time-management, record keeping and customer service skills.
• Must have ability to pay attention to details, perform experiments with highest quality control standards and to meet deadlines.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.