Research Scientist

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Job Summary

Studies of small molecule DNA repair inhibitors for use in chemotherapy. This project involves hit-to-lead development of a new class of DNA repair inhibitors. Novel chemical compounds will be screened biochemically for potency and specificity and physiologically for synthetic lethality with various tumor models and on target functions. This will constitute a unique training opportunity for introduction into the biotechnology industry.

Job Duties

• DNA preparation, Primer design, Cloning, PCR, RT-PCR.
• Human tissue cell culture-mycoplasma monitoring, maintaining cell line collection, freezing, thawing, cataloging cell lines.
• Transfection and siRNA and shRNA knockdowns.
• Cell viability assays.
• Biochemical assays of enzymes that function in DNA repair or replication.
• Protein expression and purification.
• Data analysis, statistical analysis.
• Use of NCBI, PubMed, BLAST, Genbank; Protein Data Base.
• Project management: Planning, recordkeeping.
• Lab management and ordering.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in execution of experiments, analysis of results, and design of follow-up experiments.
• Experience in project management.
• General techniques: Handling DNA and RNA, protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis; Western blotting; Immunoprecipitation, extract preparation, quantitative enzyme assays (nuclease, polymerase, helicase, topoisomerase or other kinetic analyses), transfection and transformation; light microscopy.
• Special techniques (previous experience appreciated but training provided where required): site-directed mutagenesis, Immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, affinity purification, protein expression and purification, cell viability assays; techniques for monitoring DNA replication and recombination, non-B DNA structures, and telomeres.
• Familiarity with spectrophotometer, scinitillation counter, phosphorimager (Image J, Imagequant), FPLC, plate readers. Gel doc systems, Licor imaging.
• Fluency in Word, Excel, GraphPad Prism, PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoc experience in academia or in the biotechnology industry.
• A subset of the skills listed above.
• Background knowledge in the field of DNA repair, replication or recombination.
• Background knowledge in cancer research.
• Ability to teach techniques to others.

Required Documents

• Resume with publication list