A postdoctoral research position is available immediately to work on challenging problems in structural biology: Postdoctoral Researcher Job ID: 21615 Division: Physical Biosciences Date Opened: 3/28/2008 This postdoctoral position will study the structure and function of macromolecular complexes and enzymes using X-ray crystallographic methods. This position will be joint between the Center for Protein Folding Machinery (proteinfoldingcenter.org) and the Joint BioEnergy Institute (www.jbei.org). The biological systems to be studied will include: Type-II chaperonins responsible for the refolding of unfolded proteins in archeal and mammalian cells, Glycosyl transferases responsible for the synthesis of hemicellulose in plants, and Novel glycosyl hydrolases that are able to breakdown cellulosic material for biofuels production. The candidate will have experience with using crystallographic methods to study macromolecules; robotic hardware for performing crystallization trials and imaging trays are available. Crystals will be characterized and data collected using the beamline resources of the Berkeley Center for Structural Biology at the Advanced Light Source. Essential: Primary duties and responsibilities will include using robotic hardware to perform screens for crystallization conditions. Optimization of crystallization conditions. Biophysical characterization of protein samples using standard techniques, such as dynamic light scattering. Characterization of crystals using the Berkeley Center for Structural Biology beamlines at the Advanced Light Source. Collection and analysis of diffraction data, model building and structure refinement. Extensive email and verbal interaction with other researchers. Marginal: Use of small angle X-ray scattering methods to analyze macromolecular complexes in solution. Essential: Ph.D. or equivalent in a scientific discipline, preferably structural biology, biology, or chemistry. Demonstrated experience of scientific research using crystallographic methods. Experience with crystallization methods. Solid interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment are critical. Ability to communicate with a broad range of researchers. Marginal: Experience with the use of small angle scattering methods. Familiarity with robotic hardware for crystal growth. NOTE: This is a one year Term appointment with the possibility of renewal under the same terms and conditions, contingent upon continued funding and availability of work. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is a world leader in science and engineering research, with 11 Nobel Prize recipients over the past 75 years, and 59 present members of the National Academy of Sciences. LBNL conducts unclassified research across a wide range of scientific disciplines and hosts four national user facilities. AA/ EEO employer committed to the development of a safe and diverse workforce. Learn more at http://www.lbl.gov. For more information about the Center for Protein Folding Machinery visit: http://proteinfoldingcenter.org/ and the Joint BioEnergy Institute visit: http://www.jbei.org/. For more information about the Berkeley Center for Structural Biology visit: http://bcsb.lbl.gov/ To apply: visit http://cjo.lbl.gov/ and search for the job number 21615. Please see http://cjo.lbl.gov/app_instr.html for details of how to apply. -- Paul Adams Deputy Division Director, Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley Lab Adjunct Professor, Department of Bioengineering, U.C. Berkeley Vice President for Technology, the Joint BioEnergy Institute Head, Berkeley Center for Structural Biology Building 64, Room 248 Tel: 510-486-4225, Fax: 510-486-5909 http://cci.lbl.gov/paul Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Road BLDG 64R0121 Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. --