Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.  

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar – Research Associate in the Physics and Astronomy Department.The largest and oldest of the USC schools, USC Dornsife functions as the academic core of the university, offering courses and advancing knowledge across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

The Laboratory of Peter Chung at the University of Southern California invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. We are searching for a foundational team member who has a keen interest and demonstrated experience in molecular biology and biophysical techniques. The candidate will be working on an NSF-funded project on expressing, purifying, and characterizing synapsin-1, a protein critical to neuronal function.

Responsibilities:

• Utilize genetic code expansion to produce phosphorylated proteins.
• Characterizing biomaterials properties of phosphorylated proteins.
• Independently undertake and train trainees on technical laboratory procedures (such as protein expression and purification).
• Laboratory organization, including developing standard procedures, coordinating sample exchanges with collaborators, and maintaining a safe lab environment in accordance with environmental health and biosafety regulations.
• Travel to conferences and workshops to disseminate findings and advance professional careers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong attention to detail and communication skills.
• Extensive experience in protein expression in bacterial/animal cells, protein purification, standard molecular biology techniques, standard chemical wet lab techniques and spectroscopy.
• Experience in genetic code expansion preferred but not required.

Salary range:

The annual base salary range for this position is $65,00 - $75,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

This is a one year fixed term position, with possible renewal