_Sanford Burnham Prebys is a preeminent, independent biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding human biology and disease, and advancing scientific discoveries to profoundly impact human health. _

A RESEARCH ASSISTANT position is available within the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics. The Center’s vision is to be the world’s leading academic drug discovery and development organization, an epicenter for innovative approaches to accelerate the discovery of new drugs to help save lives and treat disease. This is an exciting opportunity to directly support scientists focused on biomedical and drug discovery projects with an end goal of ultimately benefiting patients. The successful candidate will join a team involved in diverse applied-research activities and will work side-by-side with experienced scientists on projects in small-molecule drug discovery. 

As a part of this multidisciplinary team, the candidate will carry out projects in small-molecule drug discovery. Job responsibilities are project-driven and mainly focused on recombinant protein production in variety of expression systems, protein purification from biological samples and protein analysis.

Primary Responsibilities

• Cell/Tissue Culture: carry out cell transfection/transformation, recombinant virus generation, stable cell lines creation and propagation
• Protein Expression: perform expression of recombinant proteins in mammalian, insect and bacterial systems
• Purify proteins from biological samples using variety of methods including fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC)
• Analyze purified proteins by variety of biophysical and biochemical methods
• Generate and analyze biochemical data as directed
• Operate specialized equipment requiring a moderate degree of skill and troubleshoots straightforward problems
• Gain technical knowledge and skills to clone, purify and characterize protein
• Perform a variety of laboratory tasks, including preparing samples, accurately analyzing data using state-of-the-art software (e.g. Excel, Prism), and provides basic data interpretations
• Set up and operate standard lab equipment
• Contribute to the completion of diverse tasks within laboratory procedures, practices and protocols
• Troubleshoot and modify SOPs as needed with minimal input from supervisor
• Accurately document and record all experiments in lab notebooks and electronic data system

Required Skills Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a biochemistry, or cellular/molecular biology or related field and a minimum of one year of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained is required
• Master’s degree in a biochemistry, or cellular/molecular biology or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained is a plus
• Experience with eukaryotic (insect and/or mammalian) cell culture, cell transfection/transformation, recombinant virus generation, stable cell lines creation and propagation is required

Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Practical knowledge of eukaryotic (insect and mammalian, viral and none-viral) and bacterial expression systems, protein expression and purification, chromatography, protein characterization and molecular cloning is strongly preferred
• Able to simultaneously handle multiple projects in a rapidly changing, deadline-driven environment
• Possess strong technical skills in biochemistry
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Be responsible and have strong time management skills
• Able to analyze and resolve issues of moderate complexity
• Proven presentation, verbal and written communication skills
• Possess strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrate professional communication and interpersonal skills
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Embody the Institute’s core values of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Community and Compassion

The scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute are making research breakthroughs in cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and children's disease. We are also at the forefront of finding solutions for health threats such as COVID-19, where we are working to identify drugs that may help millions of people. During our more than 40 year history, we have established an NCI-designated Cancer Center, designed one of the most sophisticated drug discovery centers in the nonprofit world, and created global collaborations that are leading to preventions, treatments and cures to improve human health. 

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an Equal Opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability – committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as designated by federal, state or local law.  For additional information about your rights as an applicant, click HERE.

• Ability to read work orders and follow instructions given for each job

• Good manual dexterity and ability to perform the various duties associated with handling product from bindery or mailing equipment

• Basic computer skills