Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate (Skellam Lab)

Employee Classification: Postdoctoral Research Assoc

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science

Department: UNT-Chemistry-121200

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidates qualifications, experience, and discipline, in acordance with university guidelines and available funding.

FTE: 1.00

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Department Summary

The Department of Chemistry offers diverse opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in cutting-edge technology and research. We allow students to pursue their scientific creativity with guidance from leading chemistry faculty.

UNT has a highly diverse campus with a wide range of languages spoken in addition to English. We welcome candidates who have experience with HSI/MSIs and/or who speak Spanish, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and other variations), Arabic, Tagalog, Farsi, French, or/and Yoruba.

Position Overview

The Skellam lab is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of biotechnology to investigate the reconstruction of fungal secondary metabolite pathways in a plant host. The project is highly interdisciplinary and will require knowledge and experience of molecular biology, cell biology, and analytical chemistry including structural elucidation of molecules using mass spectrometry and other spectroscopic techniques. The successful candidate will join a team consisting of two other postdoctoral research associates, and two graduate students in a highly collaborative environment. This project provides opportunities to learn additional techniques such as confocal microscopy, transcriptomics, and NMR spectroscopy. Further responsibilities include the day-to-day management of the project, manuscript and proposal writing, presenting original research internally and externally at meetings and conferences, and mentoring students at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Minimum Qualifications

• The candidate should have completed their PhD in biochemistry or a related field and have experience and interest in biotechnological production of natural products
• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as gene cloning, plasmid construction, PCR, RT-PCR, Western blots and bioinformatic skills to aide in experimental design
• Experience with agrobacterium-mediated transformation
• Knowledge of methods for natural product detection, isolation, and structural elucidation from plants
• Ability to work independently

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with small molecule isolation and structural elucidation using LCMS and NMR techniques
• Proficiency with protein structural predictions, protein purification, and enzymology
• Knowledge of secondary metabolism in fungi and plants
• Good interpersonal skills and a team-working attitude
• Interest in training and mentoring students

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties:

• Conduct experiments, gather data, document research notes, code and analyze data, interpret data 
• Prepare manuscripts for publications in a timely manner and talks and posters for presentation at group meetings and conferences. Assist with reporting of research progress to funding agencies. 
• Keep up with historical and latest research data and publications 
• Train students and other junior colleagues
• Stay up-to-date with all trainings, and federal, state, university and department requirements

Work Schedule:

Varies

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.