Job Description

Job ID 6574

Location SLAC – Menlo Park, CA

SLAC Job Postings

Position overview:

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a Directorate of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, seeks a Life Science Researcher Professional with a strong background in biochemistry and structural biology.

In this position, you will work within a rich scientific environment at SLAC, focusing on protein expression, purification and high-throughput crystallization to support the efforts of specific projects. You will also help maintain laboratory equipment, order supplies and may take part in diffraction data collection. You will be part of a collaborative team and have the opportunity to work with numerous proteins examining structure function correlations using a range of scientific methods. 

Your specific responsibilities include: 

• Express and purify proteins.
• Perform experiments to crystallize proteins.
• Co-crystallize proteins with ligands.
• Schedule crystallization plates for imaging using our automated imaging system
• Prepare samples for data collection. 
• Work collaboratively with SSRL scientists performing X-ray crystallography measurements. 

Other general research and lab coordination responsibilities include:

• Perform more complex functions and activities involved in defined research projects, and independently conduct a portion of the research project(s).
• Independently conduct a portion of the research project(s). Make recommendations on experimental design and/or research direction to principal investigator.
• Independently conduct complex (lab and/or field) experiments to gather data for a portion of a major research project.
• Interpret and analyze results, often where few guidelines exist, and make modifications to existing procedures and protocols.
• Develop new research protocols where appropriate protocols are not described in the literature or where modification or adaptation of standard procedures and protocols is required.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams across different faculties or schools.
• Perform ongoing literature review to remain current with new procedures and related research; apply to ongoing research and development of new protocols.
• Contribute substantively to the preparation of papers for publication, especially in the results section, and to publication of findings. Present ongoing work to colleagues and/or academic conferences.
• Oversee supply and equipment budget under supervision of principal investigator or business manager.
• Work with health and safety department to ensure lab complies with regulations and all required trainings.
• Supervise (either formally or informally) staff or students as needed, including oversight and direction on techniques, as well as consultation on project work. Serve as a technical resource for other research staff.
• Oversee the daily activities of the laboratory including lab maintenance; maintain lab stock, manage chemical inventory and safety records, and provide general lab support as needed. May assist with purchasing laboratory equipment.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA. Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.

To be successful in this position you will bring: 

• Bachelor’s degree in structural biology, biophysics, physics, biochemistry, chemistry or bioengineering, or related scientific field and at least two years of relevant work experience, or Master¿s degree in related field
• A strong history in biochemistry techniques and familiarity with various types of laboratory equipment.
• Knowledge of protein expression and purification protocols and experience purifying recombinant proteins from source cells and running chromatography systems.
• Experience with protein crystallization, co-crystallization, and crystal soaking with a variety of ligands. 
• Familiarity with crystal handling and preparation for data collection at synchrotron facilities.

Additional preferred skills but not required: 

• Knowledge of protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, etc.
• Working knowledge of modern medicinal chemistry and drug discovery techniques.
• Experience determining protein kinetics (K_on, K_off, K_D).
• Familiar with the process of depositing protein structures in the PDB.
• An understanding of key methodologies of fragment and structure-based drug design.
• Experience collecting diffraction data and solving crystal structures.

SLAC employee competencies:

• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward. 
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals. 

Physical requirements and Working conditions:

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Work standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.  Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1¿General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu

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• Job Classification: Life Science Research Professional 2
• Job Code: 4952, Grade: G
• Duration: Regular continuing