Postdoctoral Scholar - Infectious Diseases UH

Case Western Reserve University, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Cleveland, OHIO
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Date: July 20, 2021

Title: Postdoctoral Scholar

Department: Infectious Diseases UH 

School: Medicine

Location: VA Medical Center and Case VA CARES (CWRU)

Supervisor Name and Title: Robert A. Bonomo, MD, Professor

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Scholar. This highly motivated individual will study the biochemical mechanisms that mediate antibiotic resistance. The core areas of the research program focus on structure-function relationships of clinically important β-lactamases using microbiological and biochemical testing, medicinal chemistry, structural biology, pharmacological analyses, genetics, molecular epidemiology, and drug development. The individual will need to have experience with molecular biology techniques including PCR and cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, biochemistry with an emphasis on enzyme kinetics and mass spectrometry (small molecule and protein) as well as protein crystallography, pharmacology, and drug design. The candidate should be able to work independently, read and critically interpret the literature, assist with designing and planning of projects, oversee collaborations, supervise students, and carry out research on the assigned project. They will also be required to aid the PI in grant writing to gain experience and help support future projects. Ideal candidates should have experience specifically in the areas of microbiology, biochemistry and pharmacology with publications in PubMed-indexed journals. Strong knowledge/experience with chemistry is also highly preferred. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

  • Design, plan, and carry out experiments in collaboration with the PI. Provide assistance and oversight of junior staff and graduate students to ensure projects are being completed according to the research plan. Advise/Assist in developing improved techniques, project methods, and procedures. 
  • The responsibilities of this position include the planning and executing of research projects in a consistent and timely manner, as well as leading studies focused on the development and characterization of novel inhibitors. 
  • Present results in weekly laboratory meetings and other scientific meetings. 
  • Candidate must be willing to help coordinate collaborations locally, nationally, and internationally. 
  • Develop and adapt laboratory techniques. 
  • Analyze the data generated from these experiments and provide high level analysis to PI. 
  • Develop and maintain an external reputation through activities such as publishing in high quality peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. 
  • Support writing grant applications, research protocols, publications, and abstracts. 
  • Assisting with the training and mentoring of junior trainees in the lab is a must. 

    • NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Assist with the general day-to-day operations of a large laboratory including supply inventory and equipment maintenance.
  • Maintain lab safety as a priority. 
  • Perform other duties as assigned. 

    • CONTACTS 

    Department: Daily contact with Principal Investigator, department faculty, other postdocs, research associates, graduate students, medical fellows, and research assistants. Moderate administrative staff contact to obtain administrative support for research activities.

    University: Frequent contact with faculty, research personnel, and staff within the School of Medicine.

    External: Continuous contact with collaborators to further our joint research objectives.


    Students: Continuous contact with graduate students within the laboratory. Will help manage students in developing their own research projects to further the goals of the overall research. Will also supervise graduate students as they rotate through the laboratory as part of the University’s teaching mission.

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

    Supervisory responsibilities principally will include mentorship of students in the lab.

    QUALIFICATIONS

    Experience: PhD in biochemistry, pharmacology, or microbiology, as preparation for a post-doctoral fellowship in Infectious Diseases.

    Education/Licensing: PhD

    REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Strong expertise in biochemistry. The candidate is required to be experienced in molecular biology and biochemical techniques, including RNA and DNA protocols, regular and advanced protein techniques, expressing and purifying recombinant proteins, enzyme kinetics, protein mass spectrometry, and Western blots. 
  • Ability to operate laboratory equipment including various mass spectrometers and FPLC/HPLCs and ability to acquire new skills in operating other technologies currently present in the lab (e.g., FTIR, ITC, CD, stopped-flow, etc.).
  • Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
  • Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work and communicate with various individuals within and external to the University.
  • Strong organization skills: ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through. 
  • Effective management skills: ability to lead, train, work with, and elicit cooperation from graduate students and junior staff. 
  • Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable, and a self-starter. 
  • Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. 
  • Effective problem-solving skills: must demonstrate excellent analytical skills, sound judgment, and good decision-making. 
  • Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure. Must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment, and conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timeline. Plan, conduct, and execute projects in accordance with general plans, and carry out complex research assignments of a non-routine nature.
  • Coordinate laboratory/research activities.
  • Collect and analyze data, prepare presentations and figures for conferences and publication, and write manuscripts. Assist the PI in writing grant applications.
  • Maintain a detailed and accurate lab notebook, and keep complete records and results of experiments, protocols, and use of animals.
  • Devise new protocols and techniques for research projects involving a high degree of skill and training.
  • Evaluate adequacy of techniques, study and test new procedures and analyzes data.
  • Ability to operate copy machines, perform complicated calculations, and produce documents; as well as, the ability to operate scanners, audio visual equipment, etc. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and with internet analysis and informational tools (e.g., NCBI, BLAST, PubMed, etc.). 

    • WORKING CONDITIONS

    Working Conditions include exposure to biomedical hazards including infectious bacterial agents. The individual will work in a biological laboratory environment (BL2) using universal precautions to minimize risk of pathogen exposure.  Working conditions will require working on and off-campus in the Infectious Diseases laboratories of Dr. Bonomo, and when needed working outside standard working days or hours as required by the needs of a given experiment. The position will involve travel to meetings or conferences if travel funding is secured. Applicants are expected to adhere to all CWRU safety practices as well as those of the VA Medical Center to maintain a safe work environment. 

    Please submit by e-mail a cover letter and curriculum vitae to Kristine Hujer at [email protected].


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