Research Assistant - Structural Bioinformatics

astera; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits summary

Job summary

Astera Institute in Emeryville is seeking a Research Assistant for the diffUSE Project to build open infrastructure for structural biology data. You will maintain data pipelines, curate structural datasets, and run validation checks across X-ray, cryo-EM, and ensemble data, collaborating with scientists and software engineers on day‑to‑day execution.

This full‑time, in‑person role suits someone early in their research career who is detail‑oriented, comfortable with ambiguity, and motivated by

Qualifications

• BS or MS in bioinformatics, structural biology, computational biology, or related field.
• Proficiency in Python and knowledge of structural file formats (PDB, mmCIF, mtz).
• Excellent data handling with close attention to detail.
• Able to collaborate across computational and experimental teams.
• Preferred: exposure to crystallography or cryo-EM data processing; familiarity with PDB/EMDB databases.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and run bioinformatic pipelines for structural data processing, curation, and quality control.
• Support development and benchmarking of validation metrics against experimental datasets.
• Assist with data deposition, formatting, and documentation to meet community data standards.
• Help prepare datasets, figures, and summaries for publications, reports, and presentations.
• Coordinate with Scientists and engineers on routine data management tasks and troubleshooting.

Skills

Python programming

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail in data handling

Comfortable working across compute and

Education

BS or MS in bioinformatics, structural biology, computational biology, or related field

Tools

PDB

mmCIF

mtz

EMDB

Job description

About Astera:

Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.

Unlike traditional non‑profit research organizations, projects supported by Astera operate like high‑velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here.

About the Role:

The diffUSE Project at Astera Institute/Radial is building open infrastructure for dynamic structural biology, making protein conformational and ensemble data findable, validated, and reusable at scale. The Research Assistant will support this mission by maintaining data pipelines, curating structural datasets, and running validation checks across X‑ray, cryo-EM, and ensemble‑derived data, working closely with Scientists and software engineers on day‑to‑day technical execution. This is a full‑time, in‑person role suited to someone early in their research career who wants hands‑on exposure to structural biology data infrastructure in a fast‑moving, multidisciplinary environment. The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, comfortable with ambiguity, and motivated by the goal of making scientific data more open and reusable.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and run bioinformatic pipelines for structural data processing, curation, and quality control.
• Support development and benchmarking of validation metrics against experimental datasets.
• Assist with data deposition, formatting, and documentation to meet community data standards.
• Help prepare datasets, figures, and summaries for publications, reports, and presentations.
• Coordinate with Scientists and engineers on routine data management tasks and troubleshooting.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• BS or MS in bioinformatics, structural biology, computational biology, or a related field.
• Working proficiency in Python and familiarity with structural file formats (PDB, mmCIF, mtz).
• Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail in data handling.
• Comfortable working across computational and experimental teams in a research setting.
• Preferred: exposure to crystallography or cryo‑EM data processing; familiarity with PDB, EMDB, or related databases.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience.

• Benefits summary