Research Technician, Biochemistry, Brown

About the Work Unit:

The Brown Laboratory focuses on understandingdefects in macromolecular protein assembly that underlie human disease.Specifically using X-ray crystallography and related techniques weseek to solve the3-D structuresof the individual protein componentsof large assemblies knowntobe criticalfor proper mitochondrialphysiology; defectsinwhichcauseseverediseases ranging from anemia to neurodegeneration. Ultimately we can use this detailedmolecular information to uncover how genetic mutations cause changesin protein folding leading to aberrant assembly andsubsequenthumandisease.Inaddition toX-ray crystallography the laboratory also employsawide rangeof biochemicalandbiophysical techniques to complement our structuralwork including mass spectrometry fluorescence-based enzyme assays analytical ultracentrifugation and various binding assays to name few. Members of the laboratory will be based in the recently-renovated space and will work in a collaborative and interactive community space shared by other biochemistry laboratories.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Research Technician will be responsible for carrying out biochemistry laboratory tasks after appropriate training including:

• Specificdutiesrelatedtoproteinbiochemistry experiments

  • Makingcommonlaboratorystocksmediabuffersetc.

  • Carryingouttasksrelated to protein expression (e.g.PCRplasmidpreparation bacterial cell culture growth)

• Generallaboratorytasks

  • Maintaininglaboratoryequipment

  • Cleaningandautoclavingglasswareand equipment

  • Assistingwithmonitoringandorderingsuppliesandreceivingpackages

• Othertasksrelatedtosciencecommunication

  • Attendanceat regularmeetingswithPrincipal Investigatorto discuss laboratory tasks and data

  • Attendanceandparticipationinregulargrouplaboratorymeetings

  • Proficiencyandaccuracyinmaintaininglabnotebookanddocumentation

  • Assisting PrincipalInvestigator intrainingotherresearchersinlabproceduresand protocols

Education and Certifications:

• ABachelorsdegree inbiochemistrybiologychemistryorarelatedfieldfrom an accreditedinstitution of higher education is necessary.

• Evidenceofexcellenceinlaboratorycourseworkispreferred.

Experience and Skills:

• Experienceinanacademicbiochemistrylaboratoryisstronglypreferred.

• Experienceinacollege oruniversity academic laboratory (e.g.post-baccalaureate program or summer internship) is preferred.

• ExperienceinPCR/cloningisstronglypreferred.

• Experienceinproteinexpressionandpurificationisstronglypreferred.

• Abilitytoadheretoenvironmentalhealthandsafetystandardsisnecessary.

• Abilitytoadheretoscientificintegritystandardsindatacollectionandreportingisnecessary.

• Ability tounderstandandfollowscientific researchprotocolsandproceduresisstrongly preferred.

• Proficiencyinwrittenandoralscientificcommunicationispreferred.

• Abilitytoworkinacollaborativeenvironmentandtakedirectionisstronglypreferred.

• Abilitytoanalyzeandinterpretscientificdataispreferred.