Staff Scientist, Pharmacology - Nashville, United States - Vanderbilt University

Description

The Staff Scientist Senior will be a member of the Department of Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University.

The Staff Scientist will be a key laboratory member responsible for lab management, managing multiple structural biology projects, and will be expected to help in manuscript and grant writing.

They will contribute to design, execution and analysis of experiments and formulation of data for presentation.

The Staff Scientist is expected to have the ability to work independently but will also be expected to work with other lab members as needed to provide support for various projects.

The Department of Pharmacology is a vibrant and interdisciplinary environment for cutting-edge research. The research group using multiple structural and biophysical tools to study the molecular basis of human food allergy. The group is highly collaborative, and our allergy work is done in jointly with Dr. Scott Smith, from the department of Medicine.


Duties and Responsibilities:
Molecular Biology

• Design and create new protein constructs for crystallization trials.
• Optimize protein expression of new protein constructs.

Protein Purification

• Design and carry out experiments on the basis of discussed plans with Dr. Spiller
• Analyze chromatography experiments.

Crystallization

• Design and carry out high throughput crystallization trials.
• Optimize crystallization conditions.

Maintenance of equipment

• Respond to problems with major items of equipment within the laboratory.
• Monitor performance of major equipment
• Order parts and fix the above equipment when practical.
• Contact outside service representatives and coordinate repairs when in-house repair is not possible.

Ordering and administration

• Maintain inventory of required chemicals and other reagents.
• Identify commercial suppliers for new reagents.
• Place orders.
• Track progress of orders.

Teach new lab members proper use of laboratory equipment.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related field
• 8 or more years of laboratory experience
• Experience with protein purification
• Expertise in structural and biophysical methods is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community is strongly preferred.
• Well organized
• Able to follow verbal and written instructions and learn new techniques quickly
• Work with minimal supervision
• Able to be punctual and work in an efficient, focused, and timely manner.
• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff.

Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive.

As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone.

The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.