Biology Associate - Protein Expression & Structure

Brookhaven National Laboratory; Ridge (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY, invites a Biological Associate to help advance metal sequestration and biocatalysis research in a multidisciplinary biology program.

The role emphasizes hands-on laboratory work, including protein expression/purification, structural biology techniques, and collaboration with AI/computational teams to design and screen protein targets.

The position is fully on site with a one-year term and competitive compensation aligned with internal peer groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in plant biology, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible related work experience, including biological laboratory research and demonstrated hands‑on experience conducting biochemistry, molecular biology, or biotechnology research involving plants or microbes.
• Experience in diverse molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, including DNA/RNA extractions, PCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digestion and ligation, protein expression and purification using both eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression systems
• Experience in structure determination of metal transporters and metal‑binding proteins
• Experience in operating analytical instruments such as FPLC and performing data analyses
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines as required
• Ability to work independently with a strong work ethic and self‑motivation
• Clear and concise oral and written communication and organizational skills; demonstrated laboratory coordination
• Planning and executing experiments/schedules effectively
• Ability to track performance and report activities as required

Responsibilities

• Demonstrated proficiency in protein expression and purification using both eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression systems.
• Perform comprehensive biophysical and biochemical characterization of proteins, including enzyme activity assays and protein-ligand binding/affinity measurements.
• Collaborate closely with AI and computational teams to design, engineer, and screen protein targets of interest.
• Apply cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and/or X-ray crystallography to determine high-resolution structures of proteins and macromolecular complexes.
• Execute end-to-end cryo-EM workflows, including sample and grid preparation, data collection, image processing, 3D reconstruction, and atomic model building and refinement.
• Work effectively with research staff across different disciplines and levels of expertise within a multidisciplinary, collaborative research environment.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate scientific findings clearly and effectively.
• Prepare, analyze, and present experimental data for scientific publications, presentations, and internal research reports.
• Maintain a safe, secure, organized, and compliant laboratory environment in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Protein expression

Protein purification

Biophysical/biochemical assays

Cryo-EM/X-ray crystallography

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Data presentation

Laboratory coordination

Education

Bachelor's in plant biology/biochemistry or related

PhD preferred

Tools

FPLC

Job description

Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY, invites a Biological Associate to help advance metal sequestration and biocatalysis research in a multidisciplinary biology program.

The role emphasizes hands-on laboratory work, including protein expression/purification, structural biology techniques, and collaboration with AI/computational teams to design and screen protein targets.

The position is fully on site with a one-year term and competitive compensation aligned with internal peer groups.