Postdoctoral Fellow

Position Description:

Every great life-changing discovery begins the same way—with new knowledge. It can change everything, from a single life to the future of entire communities. That’s why academic medicine, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge, is at the center of everything we do at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). In the role of  Postdoctoral Fellow you will beworking in Biochemistry.

Purpose

A fully-funded postdoctoral position is available immediately in the Wenzel Lab in the Biochemistry Department at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Our lab is interested in protein-partnerships required for maintaining faithful cytokinesis in eukaryotic cells and post-translational modifications (glycosylation, phosphorylation) that fine-tune their function. We take multi-disciplinary approaches including structure-function, cell biological, and biochemical. The ideal candidate will have received a doctoral degree in biochemistry, cell biology or related by the time of their appointment, and will have experience with some or all of the following techniques: protein expression and purification, NMR/X-ray crystallography, culturing human cell lines, siRNA, immunoprecipitation, fluorescence microscopy, and/or biophysical characterization of protein-protein interactions (fluorescence polarization, ITC, SPR, MST, etc).

The Wenzel lab values diverse perspectives and backgrounds, and we are committed to maintaining a respectful training environment where the contributions of all members are valued. The Medical College of Wisconsin is a highly collaborative research environment with world-class research facilities, including in-house NMR, X-ray, fluorescent microscopy, mass-spec and Cryo-EM facilities.  

Primary Functions 

• Plan, design and execute complex research studies, procedures and protocols.
• Participate in discovery projects.
• Coordinate research study activities; lead and manage projects.
• Apply for fellowships, other funding opportunities appropriate to the position
• Oversee organization, synthesis and analysis of data and findings.
• Prepare scientific reports, outcome findings and scientific manuscripts. 
• Participate in meetings with principle investigator and research staff in which you will evaluate/interpret the validity of data, develop methodologies, and design and evaluate lab procedures.
• Maintain supplies, may require negotiation with vendors, and track purchase orders.
• May oversee the work of laboratory personnel including training and development as well as daily work direction, delegation and establishing priorities.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

Required knowledge: biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, documentation, records management, data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and writing skills. Knowledge of protein purification and biophysical characterization and or culturing and manipulating human cell lines (siRNA, overexpression, etc).

Skills and abilities: Basic biochemistry techniques including but not limited to: Western blot, protein purification, and molecular biology including construct design and cloning. Scientific writing of manuscripts and grant proposals.

Characteristics of a postdoctoral appointment: 

It is expected that postdocs at MCW, with the assistance of their supervisor, will:

• Transition to career independence through the development of professional skills that enable the postdoc to actively pursue a career of his/her own choosing.
• Be supervised by at least one senior scholar who actively promotes the postdoc's professional development.
• Establish an individual development plan (IDP) that incorporates equally the postdoc's career and training goals and the mentor's research goals.
• Pursue basic, or translational projects so long as effort is focused primarily on research.
• Publish results of the postdoc's research and scholarship during their appointment.
• The postdoctoral appointment is temporary by nature, the aggregate amount of time spent as a postdoc is recommended to not exceed five years (not including family medical leave or maternity/paternity leave).
• As postdocs are important members of the host institution's community, appropriate levels of compensation, health care, and other benefits commensurate with their essential status should be afforded, independent of the postdoc's source of funding.

Preferred Schedule:
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Position Requirements:

Specifications

Minimum Required Education:               PhD in a scientific field or MD

Why MCW?

• Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options
• 403B Retirement Package
• Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance
• On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes.
• Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc. 

For a full list of positions see: www.mcw.edu/careers  

For a brief overview of our benefits see: https://www.mcw.edu/departments/human-resources/benefits

Eastern Wisconsin is a vibrant, diverse metropolitan area.  MCW is intent on attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce and faculty body that reflects the community we serve. We value diversity of backgrounds, experience, thought, and perspectives to advance excellence in science and medicine.  MCW is a welcoming campus community with a strong culture of collaboration, partnership, and engagement with our surrounding community. For more information, please visit our institutional website at https://www.mcw.edu/departments/office-of-diversity-and-inclusion . 

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.

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