Research assistant in Structural Biology

The Davidovich Lab, based at Monash University Clayton Campus, performs multidisciplinary research within the rapidly growing field of epigenetic regulation and long non-coding RNAs in development and cancer. We are combining approaches of biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biology and bioinformatics.

Job Description

The Research Assistant will be expected to administer and manage the lab and assist with ongoing research. This will include, but not limited to, the expression, reconstitution and purification of large multi-protein and nucleic acids complexes that will be studied using structural biology, biochemistry and biophysical techniques. The Research Assistant will be expected to prepare reagents and perform assays, perform experiments, analyse results, guide students or other scientists, be expected to oversee in general laboratory operations and to maintain laboratory equipment and supplies.

Essential qualifications

Candidate would have at least B.Sc. in Life Sciences or related field, should be a well-organised person with excellent interpersonal abilities, fluent in English (spoken and written) and MUST have recent extensive hands-on experience with:

Cloning and site-directed mutagenesis.
Protein expression using the Baculovirus system and E. coli. Additional protein expression systems are advantageous.
Multi-step protein purification processes using FPLC (ideally AKTA systems).

Additional advantageous qualifications (not essential)

Crystallisation trials and expression construct optimisation.
X-ray Crystallography, SAXS and/or Cryo-EM of large macromolecules.
Mammalian cells tissue culture, including transfections, generation of stable cell lines using lentiviral systems and/or genome editing techniques.
Studying protein-nucleic acid complexes using biochemistry and/or biophysics approaches in vitro.
Basic molecular biology techniques (e.g. WB, IP, qPCR, ChIP).

Further details on how to apply and the Davidovich lab available here.