Scientist I – Structural Biology (REQ1404)

Company: Frederick National Laboratory
Location: Frederick
Posted on: November 13, 2020

Job Description:

Scientist I - Structural Biology

Job ID: req1404

Employee Type: exempt full-time

Facility: ATRF: Other

Location: 8560 Progress Drive, Frederick, MD 21701 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc. The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases.

Our core values of accountability, compassion, collaboration, dedication, integrity, and versatility serve as a guidepost for how we do our work every day in serving the public's interest.

Position Overview:

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Cancer Research Technology Program (CRTP) develops and implements emerging technology, cancer biology expertise and research capabilities to accomplish NCI research objectives. The CRTP is an outward-facing, multi-disciplinary hub purposed to enable the external cancer research community. A major focus of the CRTP is the NCI RAS Initiative with the goal to discover new therapeutic interventions against RAS-driven cancers. In addition, the CRTP hosts the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) which performs and standardizes preclinical efficacy and toxicity testing of nanoparticles intended for cancer therapeutics and diagnostics, and the Antibody Characterization Lab (ACL) which characterizes monoclonal antibodies or other renewable affinity binding reagents for use in cancer related research. CRTP scientists also work collaboratively with intramural NCI investigators to provide research technologies and expertise.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Scientist I, Structural Biology will:

Join the structural biology group within the RAS initiative and will be responsible for the crystallization and the structure determination of protein-small molecule and protein-protein complexes by X-ray crystallography and cryoEM

Work will include construct design, biochemical and biophysical characterization, crystallization, X-ray data collection, structure determination, and analysis

Work closely with protein scientists, biophysicists, and protein NMR scientists as part of an integrated structural biology effort

Be a member of the drug discovery team, working closely with computational and medicinal chemists on structure-based drug design approaches for small molecule agent optimization. The candidate will be expected to be able to participate in experimental design and to conduct experiments in a priority-driven environment independently

Be responsible for completing projects independently and as part of a team and will be responsible for timely updates of the project progress to their supervisor both informally and by formal report writing.

Work requires the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to strict safety protocols

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a doctoral degree in structural biology, protein biochemistry/biophysics, crystallography, or in a related discipline from an accredited college or university, according to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

Foreign degrees will be evaluated for U.S. equivalency

Proven ability in all aspects of protein crystallography from construct design through structure determination and analysis

Experience in the crystallization of protein-small molecule and protein-protein complexes

Expertise in commonly used structural biology software packages

Proficiency in protein biochemical and biophysical assays

Must be able to obtain and maintain a clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in analyzing protein small-molecule interaction using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF), and NMR techniques

Knowledge of mechanistic enzymology, and protein chemistry

Knowledge of cryoEM workflow

Excellent communication and witting skills

Detail-oriented, highly organized and able to manage multiple tasks and deliver quality data

JOB HAZARDS

This position is subject to working with radioactive material and requires to become an approved radiation worker

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)

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Keywords: Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick , Scientist I – Structural Biology (REQ1404), Other , Frederick, Maryland