Biology Research Associate - Protein Expression & Structure

Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC; Upton (NY); On-site; USD 81,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY seeks a Biological Associate to advance research coordination and lab management in a multidisciplinary setting. The role focuses on engineering microbes and plants for metal sequestration, leveraging biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology tools.

You will work closely with the Principal Investigator, perform protein expression and purification, and contribute to high-resolution structure determination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in plant biology, biochemistry, or a related field.

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-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

Biophysical assays

Protein purification

Cryo-EM / X-ray crystallography

Data analysis

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication

Experimental planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in plant biology/biochemistry or related field

PhD strongly preferred

Tools

FPLC

Cryo-EM

X-ray crystallography

PCR

Gel electrophoresis

DNA/RNA extraction

Job description

Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY seeks a Biological Associate to advance research coordination and lab management in a multidisciplinary setting. The role focuses on engineering microbes and plants for metal sequestration, leveraging biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology tools.

You will work closely with the Principal Investigator, perform protein expression and purification, and contribute to high-resolution structure determination.