Postdoctoral Researcher, Structural Biology

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower our 47,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.
Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Department Information

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Clone, express, and purify protein samples suitable for NMR and crystallographic studies
2. Collect NMR data on labeled proteins for structural and biophysical studies
3. Screen proteins for crystallization and diffraction
4. Determine protein structures using X-ray diffraction and/or NMR constraints
5. Identify protein-ligand interactions using structural and biophysical methods

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency with a protein structural technique: either NMR or crystallography or both
• Familiarity with biochemical methods: westerns, binding assays, enzymology
• Knowledge of the principles associated with protein-drug screening methods

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Researchers support teams of KSU faculty and students (undergraduate and graduate students), which engage with external collaborators from other universities, community members, government agencies, and/or private sector entities to stimulate innovation, capacity-building, and sustainability of research and scholarly activity at KSU. This position is part of an NIH-supported program to study protein structure and biophysics of factors from pathogenic bacteria. Several proteins will be studied with NMR, crystallography, enzymology, and other methods to determine which lytic trans-glycosylases interact with which regulatory proteins and how molecular recognition is achieved in those complexes

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Plans and executes experimental activities, data analyses, submission of reports or of manuscripts to peer-reviewed publications, and/or attendance and presentation of research findings at appropriate venues of dissemination
2. Develops and contributes to new ideas for research proposals and directions within the research group
3. Develops an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration with faculty mentor
4. Generates revenue by securing grants and participates in departmental and institutional career development programs, such as grant writing workshops
5. Prepares project budget and ensures funded project operates within budget guidelines
6. Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance with institutional policies, and federal, state and local regulations
7. Establishes working relationships and cooperative arrangements with internal and external partners
8. Engages in research and publication

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. D.V.M, Sc.D., M.D., PharmD., etc.) from an accredited institution of higher education or obtainment of doctorate degree within six (6) months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Training in NMR or crystallography to analyze protein structure
Record of authoring high-impact publications

Preferred Experience

Experience purifying and analyzing protein samples by structural or biochemical methods

Preferred Educational Qualifications

An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Proposed Salary

The salary range for this position is between $58 (minimum salary) and $65 (budgeted amount). Offers will be based on candidate experience and budget availability.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and to continue working legally for the proposed term of the appointment
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously to meet assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrated ability to carry out independent and collaborative research on a team of faculty and students with the ability to meet deliverables and milestones
Demonstrated creative and proactive approach towards problem solving
Knowledge of and experience in general analytical methods development and good analytical practices
Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field

SKILLS

Outstanding proposal and paper writing skills
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e. Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette