Job Description

The Cornish Research Group in the Department of Chemistry at Columbia University invites applications for the position of Associate Research Scientist. The candidate will have extensive experience in synthetic and chemical biology, with preference given to applicants with experience in protein engineering, directed evolution, and/or molecular biology. In this role the candidate will lead a project area in either biosensor engineering, genetic code expansion, or therapeutic delivery to the cytoplasm of cells and supervise junior students on the project. The candidate will assist the Principal Investigator with all aspects of running the laboratory ranging from setting the overall goals of the laboratory and day-to-day management. Responsibilities will include assisting in the design, direction, oversight, and execution of independent projects in the laboratory; drafting and editing grant proposals, progress reports, and manuscripts; mentoring postdoctoral-, graduate-, and undergraduate researchers.

Qualifications
Required
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, or similar; expertise in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and/or protein engineering
• 2-5 years of research experience after completing a Ph.D.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative multi-disciplinary team environment
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including scientific writing, reporting, and external presentation development.

Preferred
• Background in synthetic biology, protein engineering, and/or genetic code expansion.
• Experience engineering one of the following: amino acid/peptide modifying enzymes, G-protein coupled receptor proteins,
• Experience with multiple strategies to create variant libraries, multiple host organisms (E. coli and Yeast), and/or multiple high-throughput screening/selection methods.