Career Center

Junior, Assistant, or Associate Specialist
Protein Biochemistry

Arkin Lab and Small Molecule Discovery Center
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
University of California, San Francisco

The Arkin lab and Small Molecule Discovery Center (SMDC) at UCSF are seeking a highly collaborative biochemist or structural biologist with a passion for chemical biology and drug discovery. The Arkin lab conducts research aimed at understanding and treating diseases of aging; we are particularly passionate about tackling heretofore 'undruggable' drug targets. The SMDC is a research collaboratory that works with UCSF and external researchers to develop chemical probes and drug leads using a variety of methods, including fragment-based drug discovery and high-throughput screening. The successful applicant will clone genes, express and purificy recombinant proteins, and will design and execute biochemical assays. Scientists who enjoy working on diverse problems and thrive in a team-oriented, multi-disciplinary environment are ideally suited for this position.
The position will report to Dr. Michelle Arkin, Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. The Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry is one of the three departments in the School of Pharmacy, one of the top ranked schools of Pharmacy in the US. When biomedical research at UCSF uncovers new potential targets for drug discovery, the SMDC works with researchers to develop chemical tools and drug leads to further understand and exploit these targets for human health.

To learn about our science, visit our websites at:
https://pharm.ucsf.edu/smdc
https://pharm.ucsf.edu/arkin

Responsibilities include:

* Cloning genes into plasmids for protein expression in bacteria, yeast, insect cells and/or mammalian cells
* Expressing and purifying proteins
* Characterizing recombinant proteins in various biochemical assays
* Performing other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications
* Specialists appointed at the Junior rank must possess a BA/BS in chemistry or life science or at least four years of research experience.
* Specialist appointed at the Assistant or Associate ranks must possess a master's degree or five to ten years of experience in the relevant specialization.
* Enthusiasm for working in a team research environment
* Strong written and communication skills
* Candidates must meet the required qualifications at the time of appointment.
* Candidate's CV or cover letter must state required qualifications (or if pending) upon submission.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with protein expression
* Experience with biophysics (SPR, NMR, mass spectrometry) or structural biology (x-ray crystallography, cryo-EM)
* Experience in quantitative biochemistry and/or enzymology

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and training.

Applicants should submit a brief cover letter and a curriculum vitae. Please apply online and submit these documents along with the contact information for at least two references to: https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF04035

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy found here: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19.

UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.