Postdoctoral Researcher – Enzyme engineering for cell-free systems

About the role

The RRES Center is a talented team of scientists and technicians working in biological, chemical, and catalytic research. The center has strong thrusts in polymer design and upcycling, separations, synthetic biology and bioconversion, analytical sciences, computational modeling, and lignocellulosic chemistry and catalysis.

Responsibilities

• Identify, express, purify, and assay enzymes from full metabolic pathways
• Develop high-throughput enzymatic assays for pathway validation
• Collaborate with data scientists to develop efficient cell-free production pathways
• Conduct laboratory experiments with minimal supervision while adhering to safety protocols
• Conduct directed evolution, structure-guided protein engineering, and machine learning-guided protein engineering studies to improve enzyme and pathway function
• Work collaboratively with industrial partners and researchers at NLR and collaborating institutions

Requirements

• Recent PhD graduate within the last three years
• Experience with cloning, expression, and purification of proteins
• Experience with automation of biochemical assays
• Demonstrated experience in enzyme and/or protein engineering
• Ability to take initiative to set direction and goals for assigned tasks
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications
• Strong safety record
• Demonstrated ability to follow complex standard operating procedures with attention to detail

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications: Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Additional Required Qualifications: Experience with automation of biochemical assays, Demonstrated experience in enzyme and/or protein engineering, Ability to take initiative to set direction and goals for assigned tasks, Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, Strong record of quality peer-reviewed publications, Strong safety record, Demonstrated ability to follow complex standard operating procedures with attention to detail

Skills

• Experience with biochemical assays to measure enzyme activities
• Knowledge of machine learning-guided protein engineering
• Understanding of directed evolution and structure-guided protein engineering

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Pension benefits
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Personal time off (PTO) and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Performance-, merit-, and achievement-based awards
• Relocation expense reimbursement (for eligible positions)

Pay

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week): $76,600 - $126,400

Schedule

Hours Per Week: 40