Research Associate Full-time NEW

Research Associate

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin is currently ranked 16th by the most recent US News & World Report survey. The department is a center of excellence with a community of world-class scholars, scientists, teachers and students who are supported by stable funding and state-of-the-art facilities. It is recognized as one of the preeminent academic centers for research and education in chemistry in the country.

The Research Associate in the Baiz Lab at the University of Texas at Austin will contribute to cutting-edge investigations into the structural dynamics and interactions of membrane proteins and peptides within complex biological environments. This position centers on the application and development of advanced vibrational spectroscopic techniques—including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS), and two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectroscopy—alongside Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to probe fundamental biophysical questions. The Research Associate will play a key role in advancing the lab's understanding of protein-lipid interactions, hydration dynamics, conformational changes, and regulatory mechanisms of proteins and peptides relevant to cellular signaling and disease. This work involves the creative development of novel experimental methodologies and the application of membrane mimetic systems, site-specific vibrational probes, and time-resolved spectroscopic approaches, with specific systems including Shaker K⁺ channels, pH-responsive membrane-insertion peptides, protein-polymer conjugates, and biomolecular dynamics in crowded, cell-like environments.

Responsibilities:

• Experimental Design, Execution & Method Development: Design and perform experiments utilizing FTIR, SEIRAS, and 2D IR spectroscopy to investigate the structure and dynamics of membrane proteins and peptides. Develop and optimize advanced methodologies, including transient 2D IR and in-cell 2D IR in live mammalian cells, to probe conformational heterogeneity, hydration dynamics, and intermolecular interactions.
• Sample Preparation & Ion-Channel Investigation: Prepare and characterize lipid vesicles, membrane mimetics, nanodiscs, and synthetic/heterogeneous lipid membranes and peptide samples for spectroscopic studies. Investigate ion-channel regulation, selectivity, and membrane-insertion mechanisms—from native ion channels to synthetic artificial ion channels activated by lanthanide ions—using SEIRAS, 2D IR, and site-specific vibrational probes.
• Data Analysis & Computational Integration: Analyze multidimensional spectroscopic data using spectral lineshape and time-correlation-function analysis, numerical fitting, and multivariate statistical methods in MATLAB and Python. Integrate results with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and biophysical models describing protein folding, hydration-mediated regulation, and membrane interactions.
• Complex Characterization & Crowded Environments: Characterize protein-polymer conjugates, cell-penetrating peptides, and peptide-drug complexes relevant to drug delivery and membrane transport. Develop new experimental approaches for studying biomolecular dynamics in crowded and native-like cellular environments.
• Mentorship & Training: Mentor and train undergraduate and graduate students in advanced vibrational spectroscopy techniques, experimental design, sample preparation, and quantitative data analysis.
• Dissemination: Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physics or a closely related field
• Demonstrated proficiency in vibrational spectroscopy techniques, specifically two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS), including time-resolved and ultrafast nonlinear optical methods.
• Strong background in membrane biophysics, protein-lipid interactions, protein folding and conformational dynamics, and the principles of ion-channel gating and membrane protein structure.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python for spectral lineshape analysis, time-correlation functions, numerical fitting, and multivariate statistical analysis of high-dimensional spectroscopic data.
• Experience with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of proteins, peptides, and lipid membranes, with the ability to integrate computational results with experimental spectroscopic data.
• Solid grounding in physical chemistry, chemical physics, or biochemistry, including thermodynamics and kinetics of biomolecular systems and hydration-mediated regulation.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Salary Range: $61,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Laboratory-based position requiring regular use of chemical reagents and standard laboratory equipment
• Handling of hazardous materials in accordance with established safety protocols
• Combination of laboratory experiments, computational work, and data analysis
• Occasional extended hours to support experimental timelines and research deadlines

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Minimum of three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from referees outside of the University of Texas at Austin.
• Letter of interest