Research Professional - Med School BMBB Job Saint Paul area,Minnesota USA,Research/Development

Position: Research Professional 5 - Med School BMBB
About the Job

Position

Description:

This position is in a protein biochemistry/biophysics laboratory. The laboratory engineers recombinant antibodies, related biologics, and reagents for cell-based therapies, and undertakes structural and functional studies of proteins in human health and disease to guide the development of therapeutic leads. The laboratory works with a variety of methods (protein engineering, computational modeling, high-throughput screening, optical spectroscopy, EPR, NMR, x-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, FRET, Force spectroscopy) to design therapeutic leads, determine their mechanism of action, and mechanism of interaction with binding partners.

The laboratory operates the Masonic Cancer Center's Antibody Engineering Shared Resource, interfacing with Cancer Center members to assist in the development of recombinant antibodies, nanobodies, and affinity reagents for cancer researchers across the university.

Job Responsibilities 35% Structural biophysics and mechanistic studies in existing and future projects

Development of engineered Antibody-Cytokine fusion proteins for cell reprogramming.
Development of immunotherapies targeting cell surface proteins associated with cancer
Development of Notch activators and determination of their mechanism of action
Structural and functional studies of proteins of interest

35% Operations Manager Masonic Cancer Center Antibody Engineering Shared Resource.

Display Technologies & Selection:
Execute recombinant antibody selection pipelines utilizing computational design and display technologies (e.g., yeast surface display, phage display, or mRNA/ribosome display) to generate high-affinity binders (scFv, Fab, nanobodies/VHH) against target antigens
Antibody Format & Production:
Re-format binders into full-length IgGs or bispecific constructs; manage recombinant expression (mammalian/HEK/CHO, insect, or bacterial platforms) and purification (Protein A/G, IMAC, SEC)
Biophysical & Kinetic Characterization:
Perform quantitative binding and affinity measurements using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI/Octet), ELISA, and Flow Cytometry (FACS) etc
Core Operations & Consultation:
Consult with AESR team and Masonic Cancer Center investigators on target design and project feasibility; establish SOPs; maintain lab records; and assist with daily core facility workflows
Direct/Assist in the direction of junior AESR staff in daily operations

10% Publication and presentation of data

Maintain accurate records and digital laboratory notebook standards used by the laboratory
Contribute to the completion of progress reports associated with sponsored projects
Communicate findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals
Produce a first author paper within the first two years of this position
Prepare and give presentations at national and international meetings

10% Train and serve as a resource to lab members

Contribute to the training of junior personnel (undergraduate and graduate students, technicians) in the lab
Coordinate with collaborators to ensure project moves smoothly and aid in sharing of resources necessary to achieve project goals
Foster a safe, collegial, and inclusive workplace environment

10% Grant Writing

Contribute to grant writing (in association with AESR and in association with basic research grants).
Co‑lead or lead the development and submission of at least one R01 level grant per year.
Participate in the submission of grant applications with collaborators and laboratory PI at least three times per year.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (must be mentioned on application/resume)

Advanced degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related field plus at least one year of working experience
Training in recombinant protein expression, purification, and optimization, antibody discovery and validation, biophysical spectroscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, and X-ray crystallography.
Strong organizational skills, proactive, and detail orientated
Strong written and oral communication skills
Experience carrying out long-term projects, and contributing ideas to grant proposals
Lab management experience
Aptitude for working in a collaborative team
Aptitude for managing numerous simultaneous scientific projects and efforts

Preferred Qualifications

PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, or related field combined with 3+ years postdoctoral research experience
Demonstrated publication record in reputable journals
Experience with recombinant protein expression, particularly…