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The TEMPORARY RESEARCH ASSISTANT II in the LABORATORY OF DR. KLARA BRIKNAROVA (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry) Responsibilities will include: Preparation of solutions, buffers and growth media. Protein expression in E. coli and eukaryotic cells, protein purification, chromatography, gel electrophoresis, proteolytic digestion, UV/VIS spectroscopy, centrifugation, dialysis and other biochemical techniques. Protein characterization. Basic molecular biology, plasmid isolation, PCR, cloning, mutagenesis, transformation. Cell culture. Laboratory maintenance and inventory, management of supplies, maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory instrumentation. Will perform tasks and work on projects as directed by PI (Klara Briknarova). May help to train and supervise student researchers.

This position requires incumbent to develop working knowledge and proficiency in molecular biology techniques, cell culture, protein expression, purification and characterization.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of chemistry and basic laboratory techniques.
• Quantitative skills to calculate amounts of reagents and dilutions needed to prepare the desired solutions.
• Knowledge of biochemistry and interest in biochemical research.
• Experience with biochemical and biological techniques including cloning, PCR, cell culture, centrifugation, chromatography, electrophoresis, proteolytic digestion, UV/VIS etc. OR willingness and ability to quickly learn new techniques and apply them independently.
• Quantitative skills and analytical thinking to interpret results of laboratory experiments.
• Ability to follow protocols and meet deadlines.
• Cleanliness, organizational skills, responsibility.
• Ability to communicate clearly and efficiently with others. Be available in the laboratory to supervise and train others.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry, biochemistry or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Proficient in biochemical and biological techniques including PCR, cloning, bacterial cell culture, centrifugation, chromatography, electrophoresis, proteolytic digestion, protein characterization.
• Experience with protein expression, purification and characterization
• Experience with cloning and mutagenesis
• Experience with eukaryotic cell culture and/or with structural biology.

ABOUT BRIKNAROVA'S LABORATORY AND THE UM

The mission of Briknarova's laboratory is research and training in the area of protein biochemistry and structural biology.

To learn more visit: http://bit.ly/DrBriknarova

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.  The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five PRIORITIES FOR ACTION: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story. 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, MISSOULA, AND THE STATE OF MONTANA, PLEASE VISIT THE LINKS BELOW.

University of Montana

• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights

City of Missoula

• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce

The State of Montana

• Visit Montana

POSITION DETAILS

POSITION TITLE:                    TEMPORARY RESEARCH ASSISTANT II

DEPARTMENT:                       Chemistry and Biochemistry – Laboratory of Dr. Klara Briknarova

WORK SCHEDULE:                 Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

DURATION:                            Up to 12 Months

SALARY:                                $14.40/HR

UNION AFFILIATION:               FOCUS - MFPE

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:        Six months minimum

BENEFITS INCLUDE:               Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

HOW TO APPLY

PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. Application review will begin on Tuesday, November 5, 2018 and continue until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:

1. LETTER OF INTEREST– addressing your qualifications and experience related the stated required skills for the position.
2. DETAILED RESUME– listing education and describing work experience.
3. PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES– names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
4. TRANSCRIPTS– A copy of the official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Required Skills Required Experience