Research Specialist
Research Specialist - GECI
Reports to:
Project Scientist
Job Summary:
HHMIs Janelia Farm Research Campus in Ashburn, VA, is focused on investigating the neuronal circuits that underlie complex behavior. The development of technologies that allow high resolution imaging of neuronal activity in the nervous system will be critical in this effort.
The Research Specialist will produce thousands of DNA constructs for expression of genetically-encoded neuronal activity sensor variants in several biological systems including bacteria, mammalian neurons cultured in vitro, the Drosophila nervous system, the C. elegans nervous system, and the mouse nervous system. This will entail large-scale, site-directed mutagenesis of GECI sequences following both directed and unbiased design strategies in a high throughput cloning effort. Additionally, the Research Specialist will aid in screening genetically encoded neuronal activity sensor variants in functional in vitro tests including biochemical assays using purified protein preparations.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Production of thousands of genetically-encoded neuronal activity sensor variant DNA constructs
- Site-directed mutagenesis of cDNAs
- Subcloning of genetically-encoded neuronal activity sensor constructs into bacterial, invertebrate, and mammalian expression vectors
- Perform high volume DNA sequencing and analysis
- Protein purification
- Western blotting
- In vitro assay of genetically-encoded neuronal activity sensor variants in purified protein preparations
- Set-up, execute, and optimize high throughput cloning protocols
- Record and communicate data in laboratory notebooks, written reports, and oral presentations
- Report the work done and the methods used to the Project Scientist
- Contribute to team meetings and planning
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in the life sciences required
- Master's degree in the life sciences preferred
- Expert level molecular biologist with greater than 5 years of laboratory experience
- Experience scaling up molecular biology tasks using automation and protocol optimization
- Protein engineering/molecular evolution experience preferred
- Tissue culture experience preferred
Additional Information:
HHMI offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package. For consideration, please forward your resume in confidence to JFRCjobs@janelia.hhmi.org Please include a cover letter, three references and salary requirement with your resume. Please include the job title and job number in subject line. To learn more about Janelia Farm visit www.janelia.org .
To Apply
To apply for this position, please email or send your resume to:
Lorraine Ross
Senior HR Generalist
19700 Helix Drive
Ashburn, Virginia 20147
Fax:
E-mail: JFRCjobs@janelia.hhmi.org