Specialist in Structural Biology*

University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 194,800; Full time

Job summary

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) seeks a Specialist in Structural Biology to decipher structural bases of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD, FTD, MSA, and PD. The role focuses on solving high-resolution structures, including co-structures with therapeutic targets, using cryo-EM/ET and related techniques.

The successful applicant will work in the IND cryo-EM facility, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to drug discovery efforts under the direction of the IND and

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master/PhD in chemistry/biophysics or related field with relevant research experience.
• 2+ years in cryo-EM/cryo-ET or high-resolution protein structure methods.
• Experience with cryo-EM software and data processing tools.

Responsibilities

• Determine atomic-resolution structures of protein macromolecules for drug discovery.
• Operate and support cryo-EM/ET experiments and data analysis.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across UCSF and IND.

Skills

Cryo-EM

Cryo-ET

Computational analysis

X-ray crystallography

NMR

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biophysics

Master's degree in Chemistry or Biophysics

PhD in Chemistry or Biophysics

Terminal degree in Chemistry or Biophysics

Tools

SerialEM

EPU

Scipion

RELION

cryoSPARC

Job description

Position Description

Specialist in Structural Biology*

The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is seeking an outstanding and motivated individual to join our cutting- edge research institute aimed at discovering new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The successful incumbent will work as a structural biology specialist focused on deciphering the structural basis for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This will involve solving high-resolution cryo-EM and/or cryo-ET structures of disease-relevant filaments, including co-structures with therapeutic targets.

The IND cryo-EM facility is state of the art and includes a Titan Krios G4, Glacios, and L120C TEM instruments, as well as a Helios Hydra plasma FIB-SEM. The IND is directed by Nobel Laureate Dr. Stanley Prusiner and located at the Sandler Neurosciences Center at UCSF’s Mission Bay campus, a world-renowned hub of biomedical research and discovery.

The successful applicant will be an expert structural biology researcher with experience in the determination of atomic-resolution structures of protein macromolecules. They will be responsible for applying these methods and skills to support drug discovery and other research efforts at the IND. The incumbent will be a skilled communicator and collaborate with team members across disciplines at the IND and UCSF to advance cryo-EM research efforts to understand the structural basis of neurodegenerative disease-relevant protein macromolecules.

Required:

Personal Qualifications

• Possess a high sense of responsibility for his or her own career development, as well as for the wellbeing of our organization.
• Willingness to receive training and guidance from senior investigators as well as serve as a mentor to trainees on the project.
  
  

Required:

Education and Training Qualifications:

• Junior Specialist - Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent degree) in Chemistry, Biophysics, or related field or at least four years of research experience
• Assistant Specialist - Master’s degree or a baccalaureate degree in Chemistry, Biophysics, or related field with three or more years of research experience
• Associate Specialist - Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) in Chemistry, Biophysics, or related field or five to ten years of experience in the relevant specialization
• Full Specialist - terminal degree (or equivalent degree) in Chemistry, Biophysics, or related field or ten or more years of experience in the relevant specialization Technical Qualifications
  
  

Required:

• 2+ years of experience in cryo-EM or cryo-ET including sample preparation, microscope operation, data collection, computational analysis, and 3D structure determination of protein macromolecules OR 2+ years of experience in high-resolution protein structure determination using x-ray crystallography or NMR with additional exposure to cryo-EM methodology.
  
  

Preferred:

• Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Biophysics, or related field.
• Experience using cryo-EM data collection and processing software including SerialEM, EPU, Scipion, RELION, cryoSPARC or related package.
• Expereince in cryo-ET sample preparation, data collection, and/or data processing.
• Experience in protein expression, purification, and biochemistry OR purification of amyloid filaments from human and/or animal tissue.
• Experience modeling protein-ligand complexes, including the use of Phenix, COOT, or related software.
• Experience with density functional theory (DFT) or other computational modeling methods.
  
  

Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of appointment. Application materials must state qualifications (or if pending) upon submission.

This is a full-time position with excellent benefits. Salary is dependent upon experience.

See Table 24B for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000-$194,800.

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: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
  
  

San Francisco, CA