Specialist in Structural Biology*

University of California - San Francisco; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, San Francisco seeks a Specialist in Structural Biology to decipher the structural basis of neurodegenerative diseases and solve high-resolution cryo-EM/ET structures of disease-relevant proteins. The IND cryo-EM facility includes Titan Krios G4, Glacios, L120C TEM, and a Helios Hydra FIB-SEM at UCSF’s Mission Bay campus.

The successful applicant will be an expert in structural biology, collaborating across disciplines to advance cryo-EM research and contribute to drug

Qualifications

• Bachelor or higher in Chemistry, Biophysics, or related field; for junior/assistant/associate roles relevant experience.
• Ten or more years for senior levels may apply; technical qualifications required.

Responsibilities

• Solve high-resolution cryo-EM/ET structures of disease-relevant protein macromolecules.
• Collaborate with IND/UCSF teams to advance cryo-EM research for neurodegenerative disease biology.
• Apply methods to support drug discovery and related research efforts.

Skills

Cryo-EM expertise

Cryo-ET experience

Protein structure determination

Atomic-resolution methods

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in Chemistry/Biophysics or related

4+ years research experience

Tools

SerialEM

EPU

Scipion

RELION

cryoSPARC

Job description

Application Window

Open date: October 23, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Nov 7, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Friday, Apr 23, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

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.

Personal Qualifications

Required:

• 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.

Education and Training Qualifications

Required:

• 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

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.

*Rank will be commensurate with background, experience, and work history. 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)

About UC San Francisco

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: Affiliationative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location

San Francisco, CA