Postdoctoral Research Associate

RRC Biophysics Core

Requisition ID: 1015930

Posting Close Date: 1/3/2023

The University of Illinois Chicago is looking to fill the role of Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Biophysics core. This position works in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) in the Biophysics Core of the Research Resources Center (RRC). This role will perform research under supervision of the Biophysics Core Director, the Postdoctoral Research Associate plans and conducts experiments in various protein over-expression and purification, binding analyses of biomolecules, biological or biochemical assays, and structural studies using X-ray crystallography. The work involves the application of lab specific tests and developing new protocols, and train users and students in various techniques and research equipment. This position requires abilities not only to optimize/trouble-shoot existing protocols, but also to create new protocols independently in order to make each assay work properly.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Perform plasmid transformation into E. coli cells and small and large-scale bacterial culture and protein over-expression. Optimize over-expression condition for each protein.

Manage and perform various protein purification using affinity, ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography using AKTA FPLCs. Optimize purification conditions for each protein and do quality control (QC).

Develop/revise protocols and perform Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) experiments including ligand immobilization on CM5, SA, and NTA chips and setting up protein and small molecule analytes.

Create enzyme assay protocol independently to analyze each enzyme activity and run Fluorescence- or luminescence-based enzymatic assay with various enzymes using microplate reader.

Prepare crystal samples, set up crystals, and check crystal growth. Diffract crystals at X-ray beamline and solve structures if possible.

Trouble-shoot and optimize existing protocols independently to make assays work upon encountering problems. Conduct literature searches for technology updates and establish new protocols.

Train students and postdocs who want to use Biophysics core instruments, which require a wide range of knowledge and expertise for various biophysical instruments such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Mass Photometry (MP), and Circular dichroism (CD).

Manage weekly and monthly maintenance procedures on core instruments (AKTA Pure & AKTAxpress FPLCs, Biacore T200, Biacore 8K, MicroCal PEAQ-ITC, Jasco 815 CD, Refeyn Mass Photometer, and Emulslflex C5.

Document all sample preparation, method development notes, and data analysis results in Excel and PowerPoint for publication and reports.

Perform other duties as assigned.

There are many projects on going, three of which are below:

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

To Apply:

External applicants: https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/2648?c=uic

Internal employees: Go to https://jobs.uic.edu/ . Click on “Employee Login” and login with NetID and Password. Search for “Postdoc Research Associate - Biophysics Core” or Requisition ID: 1015930. Please attach a cover letter, resume, and three professional references by the deadline of 1/3/2023.