Junior or Assistant Specialist – Kortemme Lab

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,700; Full time

Job summary

University of California, San Francisco invites applications for a Junior or Assistant Specialist in the Kortemme Lab. The selected candidate will join an interdisciplinary team applying computation, machine learning and protein design to create novel structures for biotech and medicine.

Responsibilities include protein expression, purification, biochemical assays, high‑throughput yeast display, data analysis and rigorous documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field or a BS/BA with five years of full‑time research experience in the relevant specialization.
• Excellent ability to document experiments and communicate effectively (written and verbal).
• One year or more of research experience in protein biochemistry or high‑throughput technology.
• Ability to work as part of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• Motivation for scientific research and strong work ethics.
• Applicant’s materials must list pending qualifications upon submission.

Responsibilities

• Express and purify proteins.
• Perform biochemical activity assays.
• Conduct high‑throughput testing (yeast/phage display) of designed proteins.
• Analyze data and present results to the research group.

Skills

Documentation

Communication

Teamwork

Motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in biochemistry or related field

Master’s degree or BS/BA with 5 years research experience

Job description

Position Description

Junior or Assistant Specialist – Kortemme Lab

The Junior / Assistant Specialist will join an interdisciplinary research group working on new approaches (including computation and machine/deep learning) to design proteins with new structures and functions with applications in biotechnology and medicine. The Specialist will collaborate with graduate students and postdocs to perform high‑throughput assays (yeast display) to test thousands of designed proteins. The Specialist will be in charge of protein expression, purification and biochemical activity assays. The Specialist will analyze data and present the analysis to the research group. The Specialist will be required to accurately document all experiments and will need to have excellent communication skills, written and verbal. This is a multi‑year position. Candidates interested in obtaining research experience prior to applying to graduate school as well as those who prefer to be long‑term staff specialists will be considered.

Required Qualifications

• Specialists appointed at the junior rank must possess (at the time of hire) a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) in biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field.
• Specialists appointed at the Assistant rank must possess (at the time of hire) a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in biochemistry, bioengineering, or a related field or a BS/BA degree with five years of full‑time research experience in the relevant specialization.
• Excellent ability to document experiments and to communicate (written and verbal).
• One year or more of research experience in protein biochemistry or high‑throughput technology in academia or industry.
• Ability to work as a member of a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• Motivation for scientific research and strong work ethics.
• Applicant’s materials must list pending qualifications upon submission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to independently troubleshoot experiments.
• Experience with yeast or phage display technology.
• Experience and interest in protein design.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed throughout the recruitment period. Salary and rank will be commensurate with the applicants experience and training.

Please apply online with cover letter, CV and contact information for three references. The selected candidate must meet all of the qualifications at the time of hire.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000–$70,700.

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae – CV must clearly list current and/or pending qualifications (e.g. board eligibility/certification, medical licensure, etc.).
• Cover Letter

Reference Requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

UCSF is committed to welcoming and serving all people, honoring the dignity of every individual without preference or prejudice, in support of its public mission and in alignment with our PRIDE values and Principles of Community.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including but not limited to violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035:

San Francisco, CA