Research Scientist Full-time

Research Scientist

The principal activities of a research scientist will be to conduct independent research projects that align with the Torii Lab's research theme and to disseminate research findings in publications and at scientific meetings. The research scientist is expected to perform cutting-edge research with state-of-art technologies and advance our understanding how master-regulatory transcription factors modify epigenomic (chromatin) environment to achieve specific gene expression program leading to stem cell maintenance and differentiation in plants. The candidate is expected to devise a hypothesis-driven research plan that lays out the materials and methods, experimental designs, and possible outcomes prior to actual experimentation. Additionally, the candidate will actively participate in the preparation of upcoming research grant proposals. All lab members are expected to have the highest ethical standards and value a collaborative environment where researchers from different backgrounds synergistically bring scientific breakthroughs.

Responsibilities include:

• Perform independent research project as a leader of a small team of research technologists/engineers to link structural and biophysical results to biological function, with emphasis on Arabidopsis development and transcription factor–chromatin interactions. Perform biophysics and structural biology experiments including:
• Quantify binding strength, kinetics, and thermodynamics using ITC, and/or BLI, and use these measurements to test specific mechanistic questions.
• Perform solution NMR and cryo-EM work to map interaction surfaces and conformational changes, including sample preparation, data collection planning, and data analysis.
• Express and purify proteins and protein complexes for biophysical and structural studies; design constructs, generate mutants, and optimize protocols for challenging targets.
• Assemble and confirm multi-component complexes (protein–protein and protein–DNA/nucleosome as needed), verifying stoichiometry, stability, and sample quality.
• Work with UT core facilities and collaborators on instrument access and experimental workflows, and manage sample submission and data transfer efficiently.
• Train and supervise students, postdocs, and staff in protein biochemistry and NMR/biophysics workflows, maintaining strong lab practices and thorough documentation.
• Properly document lab notebooks, organize materials (e.g. plasmids, recombinant proteins, etc) and data (e.g. pdb files and structure data) for the assigned research projects and for the general Torii Lab inventories, strictly adhering to the Lab guideline.
• Maintain, manage, and operate critical pieces of equipment as well as chores in the lab as necessary. Be in charge of a specific equipment which the scientist has a strong expertise.
• Actively participate and present at the weekly lab meetings, Departmental seminars, BioTACOS, and other scientific conference/workshops.
• Write technical reports, review articles, fellowship applications, lead or grant writing (provide preliminary data for grants) and scientific manuscripts as required.

Required Qualifications

PhD in biophysics, structural biology, biochemistry, molecular biology or closely related field. Substantial previous record of productivity (e.g. publication, grant acquisition). Must have an established record as a mature, independent research scientist/engineer.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Salary

$85,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished).
• May work around chemical fumes.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around biohazards.
• May work around chemicals.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Submit a minimum of three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from referees outside of The University of Texas at Austin. (Hiring PI/supervisor cannot be a reference)
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.