Scientist

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City seeks an experienced Scientist to advance proteomics workflows. The candidate will develop mass spectrometry methods and collaborate with researchers on complex studies.

Responsibilities include executing experiments, data analysis, and mentoring facility users, requiring a PhD in a relevant field and mass spectrometry expertise.

Apply via [e-mail] or at the Administration Department in Kansas City.

Qualifications

• Masters minimum; PhD strongly preferred in a relevant field.
• Experience with mass spectrometry of proteins and protein complexes.
• Background in high-resolution MS instrumentation and separations.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize proteomics experiments.
• Operate and maintain high-resolution mass spectrometers.
• Develop sample preparation and acquisition methods.

Skills

Native and/or top-down mass spectrometry

High-resolution MS instrumentation

Proteomics data analysis

Scripting (Python or R)

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field

Tools

ProSight

TDPortal

TopPIC

BioPharma Finder

UniDec

Job description

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research seeks an experienced and highly motivated Scientist to join the Systems Mass Spectrometry Technology Center. This individual will play a central role in supporting and advancing native and top-down proteomics workflows, providing experimental and analytical expertise to investigators across diverse biological and biomedical research programs. The successful candidate will operate and develop cutting-edge mass spectrometry methods, collaborate closely with researchers, and lead data analysis for complex proteoform-level studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize native and top-down proteomics experiments, including intact protein and protein-complex analysis.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot high-resolution mass spectrometers (e.g., Orbitrap, Thermo Ascend) used for native and top-down workflows.
• Develop and refine sample preparation, separation, and MS acquisition methods to preserve non-covalent interactions and proteoform integrity.
• Perform advanced data analysis and interpretation of native and top-down proteomics datasets, including charge-state deconvolution, proteoform identification, and complex stoichiometry determination.
• Utilize and, where appropriate, develop computational pipelines using tools such as ProSight, TDPortal, TopPIC, BioPharma Finder, UniDec, or similar platforms.
• Consult with investigators on experimental design, feasibility, and best practices for native and top-down proteomics studies.
• Prepare written reports, figures, and summaries for users and collaborators, and contribute to manuscripts and grant applications.
• Train and mentor facility users including graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, and junior staff in native and top-down proteomics techniques and data interpretation.
• Maintain rigorous documentation, quality control, and data management standards within the core facility.

Required Qualifications

• Masters is minimal. PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Proteomics, Bioanalytical Chemistry, or a related field is strongly preferred (or equivalent experience).
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with native and/or top-down mass spectrometry of proteins and protein complexes.
• Strong background in high-resolution MS instrumentation and protein-level separations (e.g., LC, CE, or offline fractionation).
• Proven expertise in proteomics data analysis, including intact mass deconvolution, proteoform assignment, and confident biological interpretation.
• Experience working in a shared-resource or collaborative research environment.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications in native, top-down, or intact-protein mass spectrometry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) or ion mobility separations.
• Familiarity with scripting (Python or R) for custom data analysis and pipeline development.
• Prior experience training and mentoring scientific users in a core-facility setting.

To Apply

Submit the requested documents to [e-mail] or to Administration Department, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110.