Assistant​/Associate Project Scientist- Condensate Biophysics and Cell Biology- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology

The Molecular & Cell Biology Department at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for an Assistant/Associate Project Scientist in the lab of Dr. Gary Karpen, in the area of condensate biophysics and cell biology.

The Karpen lab applies multidisciplinary approaches to study how chromatin self-organizes in the nucleus and how this self-organization affects development, health, and disease. We primarily utilize the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model for chromosome function in animals, allowing us to study chromatin phenomena across an entire organism at all stages of development. We use in vivo and in vitro systems, and a wide spectrum of experimental approaches, including live and fixed imaging, biochemistry, molecular biology, computational biology, genetics, genomics, and integration with physics theory.

The candidate hired into this position will focus on understanding the structural and functional interplay between two nuclear condensates, specifically nucleoli and Peri Centromeric Heterochromatin (PCH). This entails
1) in vivo analyses of condensate formation and dynamics in Drosophila embryos and cultured cells,
2) investigating the impact of mutations and other perturbations on condensate morphologies, interactions, and functions,
3) analyzing the impact of heterochromatin’s physical associations with nucleoli on ribosome production and export,
4) integrating physics theory and testing predictions experimentally, and
5) completing submission of manuscripts describing the key findings.

• Experiments management:
  Conduct imaging, genetic, and biochemical assays.
• Data management and analysis:
  Organize, back up, and document research datasets. Quantify imaging, genomic, and biophysical data.
• Protocols and safety management:
  Optimize and standardize experimental SOPs. Ensure EH&S and lab safety compliance.
• Reagent management:
  Track fly stocks, cell lines, and reagents.
• Equipment management:
  Maintain and schedule microscopy equipment.
• Presenting research and attending lab meetings
• Contributing to grant proposals
• Mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

PhD (or equivalent international degree).