Biophysics Research Specialist

England Laboratory University of California, San Francisco

The England Laboratory within the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry seeks candidates for a Specialist research position with expertise in protein biophysics. Qualified applicants will be hired at the Junior, Assistant, or Associate level, depending upon the candidate’s experience. Dr. England’s research is broadly focused on developing and utilizing chemical tools to decode biology and advance medicine. The laboratory is currently developing synthetic small molecules to control the activity of nuclear receptors, a class of intracellular proteins that regulate gene expression in response to endogenous hormones and other small molecules. These receptors play critical roles in human development, physiology, and disease and have proven to be effective therapeutic drug targets. Under general direction, the incumbent will study the interaction of ligands with the nuclear receptor Nurr1, a potential therapeutic target for Parkinson’s disease. Applicants are expected to be able to work independently and possess the ability to read and digest literature surrounding the project, and to troubleshoot experiments when they don’t work. In addition, the applicant must possess the ability to analyze their data and clearly communicate their research techniques and results in written and oral formats suitable for publication. Specific activities associated with the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Preparation of high quality protein samples. Technical skill set: primer design for PCR, DNA subcloning and mutagenesis, over-expression and purification of
• In vitro biophysical assays of ligand affinity: Technical skill set: x-ray crystallography, protein NMR spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance (SPR)

Required Qualifications

• Specialists appointed at the Junior rank must possess a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent degree).
• Specialists appointed at the Assistant or Associate ranks must possess a master’s degree (or equivalent degree) or five to ten years of research
• Two or more years prior experience conducting laboratory research
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills
• Experience with graphing software (e.g. Excel, Prism or KaleidaGraph) and statistical analyses, powerpoint or other oral presentation software, and appropriate software associated with biophysical
• Applicants must list all of the basic qualifications (or if pending) on their CV and/or cover letter upon
• Candidates must possess the requirements by the time of

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent level of experience) in biochemistry, biophysics, chemical biology, or equivalent

Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF02872, with a CV, cover letter, and two references (contact information).

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California 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.