"Postdoctoral Associate, Multiple Vacancies"

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate for the department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The Mickolajczyk laboratory (https://sites.rutgers.edu/mickolajczyk-lab/) is recruiting Post Doctoral Associates to engage in ongoing research projects relative to studying the mechanisms of pre-ribosome maturation by motor proteins and regulation and substrate-targeting by ATPase enzymes in ribosome biogenesis.

The main project involves studying the mechanisms of pre-ribosome maturation by motor proteins, an essential process for generating new ribosomes that are properly folded and competent for protein translation. Force spectroscopy (optical and magnetic tweezers), single-molecule fluorescence, and bulk biochemical methods will be used to investigate how these motor proteins convert the energy from ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work in order to promote pre-ribosomal folding. The assays developed will be used to benchmark wildtype versus disease-derived mutants of motor proteins to investigate the molecular bases of ribosomopathies and other ribosome-dependent diseases. The Post Doctoral Associate will also have the opportunity to participate in ongoing collaborative projects, as well as to spearhead new projects within the lab.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Engage in scientific communication, training of junior personnel, grant writing and manuscript preparation.
• Participate in the evaluation of existing procedures, suggesting revisions where necessary and proposing new procedures where required. Assists in the implementation of the programs and projects in special areas of interest to the laboratory.
• Contribute to the development of performance standards, selection of methodology and instrumentation and coordination of the analytical, biochemical, physiology and instrumentation functions with the research areas to ensure conformance with the goals and objectives of the department.
• Maintain accurate records of laboratory notebooks and research activity. Review literature and prepare manuscripts and abstracts for submission. Present findings at national meetings.
• May also mentor graduate/undergraduate students.

Minimum Education and Experience:

The candidate requires a post-doctoral degree by the start of employment; preferably in biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, or similar within life sciences, and significant experience in biochemical and molecular biology methods to study proteins and RNA.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Physical Demands: Standing, sitting, walking, talking or hearing. No special vision requirements.

Work Environment: Lab environment with moderate noise. Radioactivity and hazardous chemicals are used in the lab.