Researcher Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (Chemistry) position. The Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (Chemistry) is a full-time, fixed-term (2-year) position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $63,000 - $65,000 per year.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

This position is a full-time, limited-term, post-doctoral research assistant in the Marcus lab (MLab) with a flexible start date as early as January 1, 2027. The primary responsibilities will involve executing and publishing independent research, partnering with current Amherst College undergraduates to help move forward their thesis research projects, and training new undergraduate research students. The position will last for two years (24 months) with the opportunity for renewal.

The MLab is dedicated to studying the biophysical and biochemical consequences of protein evolution, with a specialty in p-loop NTPase mechanisms. We employ both wet lab and computational approaches to understand the 'rules' underpinning protein-protein interaction selectivity and allosteric regulation. We also have a growing interest in understanding how generative AI interfaces with evolutionary patterns to make predictions of protein structures. An ideal candidate would be comfortable not only bringing their own techniques to our lab but also learning new approaches to answer fundamental questions about protein chemistry.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Lab-Based Biochemical and Biophysical Research

- Research will be dependent on the candidate's skillset and interests

Data Analysis and Scientific Writing

- Utilize modern computational approaches to biochemical and biophysical data analysis (such as bioinformatic pipelines and Python-based data analysis packages)

- Complete literature review

- Contribute to the writing of research articles and grants submitted by the lab

Lab Organization and Maintenance

- Provide mentorship and training in the lab for our staff of undergraduate researchers

- Maintain a clean and safe lab space

Qualifications:

Required

- PhD in Biochemistry, Chemistry, or related field

- Must have at least three years of experience executing supervised biochemical research

- Demonstrated interest in carrying out independent research

- Excellent organizational skills as well as strong verbal and written communication

- Ability to work collaboratively and the desire to train and support undergraduate students with various levels of research experience

- Successful completion of required reference and background checks

- An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check

Preferred

- Candidates are preferred to have demonstrated experience in at least two of these techniques:

- Molecular cloning at large scale and plasmid design

- Familiarity with E. coli-based reporter assays

- Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) sample preparation and data analysis

- Protein purification via FPLC

- Enzymatic and biophysical assays (such as kinetic assays, ITC, etc)

- Computational tools, such as molecular dynamics and machine learning (ex. AlphaFold, ESMFold)

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

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