Temporary Research Assistant

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Temporary Research Assistant
Job Category	Staff & Executive - Research Support (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory)
Department	NJMS-Microbiology
Overview	New Jersey’s academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick and collaborating university wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research. Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers. Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state—at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark’s University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates. Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives. Rutgers RBHS is an anchor institution that boasts locations in Newark, New Jersey, a city of promise.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Temporary Research Assistant for NJMS-Microbiology. This position pursues efforts at developing an assay to identify small molecule blockers of protein biosynthesis in microbes for the development of new antibacterial drug treatments. The assay measures the physical assembly of the complex between EF-Tu and tRNA, the key components of the ribosomal translation machinery in the microbes, in a GTP-dependent manner. Compounds could inhibit the complex formation by several mechanisms, including binding to the protein:tRNA interface, inhibition of the EF-Tu’s GTPase activity, or altering of the three-dimensional structure of the complex rendering the complex inactive. The assay is based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). EF-Tu and aminoacylated tRNA are fluorescently labeled with Cy5 and Cy3, respectively. Upon complex formation, Cy3 and Cy5 are in close proximity, and FRET occurs between the two fluorophores upon excitation of the Cy3 dye. This results in an increase in Cy5 fluorescence intensity that is proportional to the amount of complex formed. The project involves tailoring this homogeneous assay to a High Throughput Screening (HTS) format, including (a) an optimization of assay conditions to maximize assay window in a microtiter plate format, as measured by signal-to-background ratio and Z-factor, between a high and low signal, as well as (b) demonstrating predictable responses to known antibiotics and other chemical compounds; © preparing adequate amounts of reagents using standardized methods; (d) testing focused libraries of compounds; and (e) development of secondary and tertiary assays to confirm compound mechanism of action and biological activity. Among the key duties of this position are the following: Responsible for protein and tRNA purification and analysis and for preparations for HTS. Responsible for protein and nucleic acid expression and purification, expression in a bacterial system, chromatographic separations, protein and nucleic acid labeling, and fluorescence methods. Performs protein biosynthesis and in vitro translation assays. Responsible for conjugation of fluorescent dyes to the components of the ribosomal translation system and characterization of the conjugates by fluorescence spectroscopy.
Position Status	Part Time
Hours Per Week
Daily Work Shift
Work Arrangement
FLSA	Nonexempt
Grade	99H
Position Salary	$18-$20 per hour
Annual Minimum Salary
Annual Mid Range Salary
Annual Maximum Salary
Standard Hours	35.00
Union Description	Non-Union
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Benefits	Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview . Rutgers also offers a benefit program to eligible full-time postdoctoral fellow students. For details, please go to https://finance.rutgers.edu/healthcare-risk/insurance/postdoctoral-health-insurance.
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Temporary Staff Appointment - Hourly
Position Pension Eligibility

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Ph.D. in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, and significant research experience
Certifications/Licenses
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	Protein and nucleic acid expression and purification. Expression in bacterial systems, and chromatographic separation using FPLC and HPLC. Protein biosynthesis and in vitro translation. Experience with tRNAs biochemistry. Protein structure and function Fluorescence methods. Conjugation of fluorescent dyes to proteins and nucleic acids. Characterization of fluorescent reagents by fluorescence spectroscopy. fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Molecular biology. DNA cloning and mutagenesis, restriction analysis, DNA sequencing, PCR, bacterial fermentation. Structure-function relationship in proteins and nucleic acids. Experience with high-throughput (HTS) screening is helpful. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to publish scientific research papers/articles and reports. Must be computer literate with proficiency and working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Preferred Qualifications
Equipment Utilized
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Special Conditions	This is a temporary grant-funded position that is currently available through mid-January 2024. The position can potentially be extended and is dependent on the availability of grant funds.

Posting Details

Posting Number	23ST2477
Posting Open Date	09/11/2023
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS)
Home Location Campus	Newark (RBHS)
City	Newark
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 60.1.35 Immunization Policy for Rutgers Employees and Prospective Employees , Rutgers University requires all prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to receive an updated (bivalent) vaccine dose. Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals , if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement