Working title:

Scientist

Official title:

SENIOR SCIENTIST(E10BN) or ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST(E10FN)

Degree and area of specialization:

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience:

At least 5 years postdoctoral experience in biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics. Special expertise in chromatin biology techniques including in vitro chromatin assembly, immunoprecipitation, transcriptional analysis desired. Relevant publication record. Experience with mass spectrometry a plus. The Associate Scientist should have substantial expertise with functional analysis of chromatin. The Scientist will also have outstanding oral and written communication skills, will be capable of working effectively as a member of an integrated research team as well as independently.

Principal duties:

The Scientist will perform research developing and applying novel technology for identifying proteins that are bound to DNA at DNA regions of interest. The aim of the study is to map DNA driven protein binding on a genome wide scale. Interactions will be analyzed at the chromatin level.

Duties will include:

80% The Associate Scientist will be responsible for the design, execution and evaluation of experiments related to novel
technology research for identifying proteins bound to DNA at DNA regions of interest. This includes the following extensive
research activities:

- Develop novel protocols for application in the Center for Excellence in Genomics Science project(s).
These protocols would be mainly in the area of biochemistry, particularly as it applies to
protein:DNA extraction,preparation and detection. Developed protocols hinge
on increasing sensitivity and require a detailed understanding of protein:DNA manipulation
through solid support capture, both ultrasonic shearing and enzymatic digestion, and
biophysical conditions such as temperature, pH and ionic strength. Developed protocols
would be used by professors, scientists and graduate students in furthering their own research.

- Apply chromatin immunoprecipitation assays on a genomics level for experiments. In vitro
production of nucleosomes using salt dialysis as well as ATP-driven formation is critical.
Crosslinking, hybridization and crosslink reversal will be employed. Protein purification
and tryptic digestion are used to prepare binding partners for identification.

- Perform transcriptional analysis of multiple promoter regions for experiments. Analysis
will include yeast, mouse and human promoters. In vitro transcription assays will assess
the role of protein binding partners to regulate the analyzed promoters.

- Prepare comparative analysis of data across species for experiments. Comparisons of
identified binding partners to known binding partners will be used to determine protocol
sensitivity. Protocols will be judged on their capacity to recognize known proteins,
limit background and identify novel binding partners.

- Prepare comprehensive summaries of analyses and results for their research activities.
Provide critical feedback on data generated by other members of the research team
and help guide the direction of the overall research plan.


10 % Prepare drafts of manuscripts for publication and present his/her work at scientific conferences.


5% Mentor and assist supervising graduate students in the research and experimental areas related to
this position.


5% Contribute to the conceptual development of research proposals.