Summary
Scientist to join an accelerating and highly collaborative research group in the University of Minnesota Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics. The primary research focus of the laboratory is to engineer proteins for gene-therapy and immunotherapy applications. To achieve this, the research team uses a wide range of approaches across the molecular biosciences with an emphasis on protein biochemistry and structural biology. 

The researcher will assist in carrying out large-scale molecular biology workflows including cloning, mutagenesis, and protein engineering in disease focused projects. 

The researcher will assist in performing high-throughput biochemical assays of a wide range of complexities, and assist in assay development. 

The researcher will keep clear and extensive records of scientific work and perform basic lab maintenance including reagent stock management and ordering. The researcher will participate in weekly laboratory meetings to discuss ongoing research with the research team. 

Essential Functions
30% Molecular Biology and Cell Culture including:
DNA & RNA isolation and sequencing; 
Nucleic acid gel electrophoresis;
PCR of diverse DNA templates; 
PCR primer design and optimization; 
PCR reaction optimization; 
Plasmid design including design of expression plasmids for recombinant protein expression in bacteria, insect, and mammalian cells; 
Construction of plasmids of varying size using a variety of methods including conventional restriction enzyme ligation approaches, Gibson Assembly and/or Golden Gate Cloning: 
Plasmid mutagenesis; 
Generation of DNA libraries; 
Culture and maintenance of mammalian cell lines.

30% Protein biochemical and biophysical assays including:
Elisa, Western blotting, optical spectroscopy, protein thermal stability, protein-protein interaction characterization. 

30% Recombinant Protein Expression and Purification including:
Protein expression in Bacteria and Mammalian cells. 
Protein purification using affinity tags. 
Protein purification using chromatography systems. 

10% General Laboratory Maintenance including:
Inventory and organize laboratory materials,
Maintain general working order of laboratory,
Assist in ordering materials for laboratory work.

Required Qualifications: 
BS in Microbiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Pharmacology, or related field or a combination of related education and work experience ot equal 4 years. Ability to carry out research protocols from written or oral instructions by supervisor. Ability to troubleshoot work effort is a key qualification.

Preferred Qualifications: 
Molecular Biology, Mammalian Cell culture, or Protein expression and purification experience or course training in related areas.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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