Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oakland, California
Posted: 01-Jun-23
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Salary: 56,484.00 - 68,604.00
Internal Number: 355864
Focusing on structural and functional studies of membrane transport proteins, the Alam lab is fully outfitted for mammalian cell culture and optimization and large-scale protein expression and purification as well as biochemical analysis. Projects will enjoy fantastic access to a state-of-the-art in-house Cryo-EM facility featuring a Titan Krios microscope equipped with a Gatan KIII-Biocontinuum Direct electron detector/energy filter combination. The Hormel Institute also houses an equipment core including fluorescent microscopes as well as analytical ultracentrifugation, ITC and BIACORE instruments, along with shared common use high speed centrifuges and a range of other high-end microscopes. The core facilities are further supported by dedicated facility managers responsible for training, support, and usage of equipment.
The Alam lab uses a combination of biochemical and structural (Cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography) techniques to primarily study macromolecules and macromolecular complexes involved in membrane transport, homeostasis, and biogenesis, with a particular focus on pinpointing lipid/protein interactions in context of membrane protein function. Maintenance of membrane bilayer integrity and tight control over material transfer across cellular and organellar membranes is central to proper physiological functioning. Dysfunction of these systems lies at the heart of several devastating, often fatal pathologies ranging from rare inherited diseases such as Zellweger’s syndrome and adrenoleukodystrophy (both stemming from peroxisomal dysfunction) to a range of neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and cancer.
Lab website: https://www.hi.umn.edu/research/faculty/amer-alam-ph-d/
Responsibilities
- Conduct and lead scientific research efforts in the study of how membrane transport proteins involved in shuttling lipid/sterols/fatty acids and their precursors/products are shuttled across the plasma/organellar membranes.
- Lead efforts screening for small molecule and antibody binders against target transport proteins.
- Use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography.
- Conduct biochemical experiments.
- Analyze research methods and collect information and related studies to support the research claims.
- Write research reports and give scientific presentations.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and functional laboratory.
Focus of Job Responsibilities
70% - Ongoing research, including the design and implementation of hypothesis-driven research projects.
- Cloning, mammalian cell culture, protein expression and purification
- Protein reconstitution into membrane mimetic systems for structure-function studies
- Design and execution of activity assays for protein characterization
- Generation of EM/X-ray crystallography samples and collection of EM/X-ray data
15% - Analysis of generated data and reviewing previously reported scientific literature.
- Analysis of experimental results for day-to-day experiments
- Data processing and analysis for EM/X-ray data including map interpretation and model building.
15% - Scientific writing, including reporting research findings in manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed biomedical journals and grant writing. Generation of figures for manuscripts and grants proposals.
- Accurate bookkeeping including experimental methodology and results
- Drafting manuscripts/posters for peer review
- Applying for postdoctoral fellowships
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) and The Hormel Institute endorses a “work with flexibility” approach that offers a welcoming and flexible work environment where everyone is inspired to do their best. Work location options include working fully remote, partially remote, or entirely in the office and are based on the work of the position. Some on-site work may be necessary for certain positions, even those designated as fully remote. Because we are a land-grant institution that serves the state, the University will continue to- in most cases- expect employees to live in Minnesota.
This position has been designated as Flexible Work Profile One.
Flexible Work Profile One is expected to work primarily on-site. Your office will be located at The Hormel Institute in Austin, MN. The Hormel Institute management retains the right to modify flexible work arrangement agreements on a temporary or permanent basis for any reason at any time.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D., DDS, DVM, JD, MD or equivalent
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrable experience in basic biochemistry and molecular biology techniques is required
- Candidates with experience in structural biology, particularly interpretation of intermediate resolution
- EM and X-ray maps and model building are strongly encouraged to apply
