Job Abstract

The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) is a multidisciplinary research institution focused on genome engineering and potential applications in agriculture, microbiology and biomedicine. It is a joint venture between UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, with the administrative operations located on the Berkeley campus.

Position Summary/Responsibilities:

The IGI is presently seeking a highly motivated Assistant Project Scientist to perform research on molecular systems enabling the therapeutic delivery of genome editing reagents. This interdisciplinary work will be performed as part of a team at UC Berkeley, centered in the laboratory of Ross Wilson, IGI Scientific Director of Therapeutic Delivery.

Specific research activities will involve protein engineering to generate novel macromolecules supporting development of improved CRISPR-based genetic therapies. Major tasks will include molecular cloning, recombinant expression, protein purification, enzyme engineering, chemical biology, quality assessment, and preparation of novel genome editing enzymes for use in tissue culture experiments.

The Assistant Project Scientist will also collaborate with IGI investigators at UCB, UCSF, and other IGI-affiliated universities in the effort to advance the delivery of genome editing for therapeutic use. In addition to their own efforts, this Assistant Project Scientist will guide genome editing efforts of one or more research technicians and/or postdoctoral scholars. The Assistant Project Scientist will report directly to Ross Wilson.

Duties for this position include:

• Obtain consistent and reliable data.
• Manage multiple projects and tasks in parallel in order to meet program-based milestones.
• Train one or more postdoctoral researchers and/or one or more technicians.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, postdocs, and students at partner universities and provide input to their research teams.
• Design and develop useful and practical intellectual property.
• Contribute to high-quality, high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Attend scientific and technical conferences to discuss accomplishments at the IGI and establish relationships with other leaders in the field.

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program

PhD (or equivalent international degree)

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Chemistry, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or related discipline.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally as required.
• Proficiency in construct engineering, cloning techniques, mutagenesis, and other molecular biology techniques related to protein engineering.
• Strong background in protein purification techniques, including affinity chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, and protein characterization
• Biophysical/analytical characterization of proteins and/or nanomaterials for drug delivery (e.g. DLS, TEM, LC-MS, electron microscopy).
• Experience in optimizing protein expression and purification protocols to achieve high yields and purity. Ability to troubleshoot and address challenges related to protein expression and purification.
• Proficiency in analyzing and characterizing purified proteins using techniques such as SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry.
• Experience with bioconjugation chemistry: click chemistry, disulfide chemistry, etc.
• Experience with tissue culture of cells relevant to bioengineering and/or genetic therapeutic development.
• Experience using high-throughput screening of reagents for intracellular delivery activity.
• The ability to mentor and guide other team members in protein engineering and purification techniques. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with, to efficiently work with, and to maintain external collaborations with a diverse group of researchers.

• 3 required (contact information only)

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

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.