Research Professional

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

Normal hours are Monday - Friday 8am -5pm but hours and days could vary based on research.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

A college degree in science, laboratory and computer experience is necessary (a Masters degree is preferred), as well as experience in molecular biology, protein expression, purification, and general laboratory methods are required. The job requires detailed capabilities to carry out molecular biology and biochemistry protocols, run all aspects of the expression platform as well as effective capabilities for coordinating and supervising numerous concurrent projects from initiation to completion. The expectation is that the employee will be well trained in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and enzymology, with a preferred expertise with bacterial propagation and mammalian cell culture.

The Research Professional has duties to design develop, organize, and supervise the work on a major recombinant protein expression project in the lab employing bacterial or mammalian cell culture systems. The goals of this research project will provide large scale protein production for enzyme structural and functional studies. The position entails establishing project goals, working directly with supervising faculty to design and implement new recombinant constructs, developing priorities among the large number of constructs, generation and large scale production of recombinant DNAs, and supervising work of other research technicians to accomplish these goals. Work duties include close collaboration with senior faculty and working within a larger research group of postdoctoral researchers, research technicians, and undergraduate researchers to develop strategies for high quantity protein expression, and close interaction with investigators at other research sites for the design and generation of new constructs for collaborative studies. Additional roles involve supervision of research technicians and undergraduate researchers on preparation of plasmid DNAs from bacterial cultures, executing protocols for novel transfection strategies of mammalian cells, and training research technicians and undergraduate researchers on standard operating procedures. Direct supervision of the Research Professional by senior faculty is anticipated.

Normal lab activity.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Design of new recombinant DNA constructs within the Moremen lab and interaction and design of constructs in consultation with researchers at remote sites for collaborative projects.

Generation of recombinant constructs and verification by DNA sequencing.

Large scale isolation of recombinant DNAs for mammalian cell transfection.

Identifying optimal protocols for isolation of large-scale plasmid DNA preparations.

Establishing and optimizing strategies and protocols for purification of expressed proteins

Training and supervision of Research Technicians and undergraduate researchers in their duties on generation of large-scale plasmid preparations of recombinant constructs, protein purification, and characterization.

Interaction with structural biology groups for preparation of samples for enzymatic glycan synthesis, NMR analysis, and crystallization.