University of Oregon - Eugene, OR
posted 4 months ago
The Plesa research lab at the University of Oregon is seeking an experienced Research Associate/Staff Scientist to contribute to the development of innovative gene synthesis methods aimed at constructing large gene libraries, as well as novel techniques for characterizing and engineering proteins at scale. This position is part of the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, a billion-dollar initiative designed to expedite scientific discoveries and their transformation into practical innovations that enhance the quality of life for individuals in Oregon and beyond. The Knight Campus is committed to reshaping the higher education landscape in Oregon by training future generations of scientists, fostering closer ties with industry and entrepreneurs, and creating new educational opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in accelerating the understanding and engineering of biological systems, particularly proteins. The lab is focused on uncovering the principles governing the engineering of novel protein functions, especially in the realms of sensing and interfacing with engineering. To achieve these goals, the lab develops cutting-edge technologies for gene synthesis, multiplex functional assays, in-vivo mutagenesis, and genotype-phenotype linkages. These advancements enable access to the vast sequence diversity found in natural systems and facilitate the testing of rationally designed hypotheses encoded onto DNA at unprecedented scales. The research aims to characterize and engineer entire protein families rather than concentrating solely on individual proteins, making the work highly interdisciplinary, encompassing bioengineering, protein engineering, biochemistry, synthetic biology, molecular biology, microbiology, structural biology, genetics, bioinformatics, and quantitative biology. The Research Associate/Staff Scientist will be responsible for conducting research and technical activities related to sponsored projects within the lab, with a strong emphasis on technology development. Key responsibilities will include designing and optimizing new scalable gene synthesis methods to produce longer genes with higher yields and lower costs, as well as developing novel multiplex in-vivo assays and methods. Essential duties will involve designing and conducting experiments, interpreting data, writing manuscripts and research proposals, delivering research presentations at local and national levels, assisting and training other researchers in the lab, and maintaining laboratory equipment. The position will require close collaboration with other lab researchers, including students, postdocs, and technicians, as well as with Dr. Plesa. The level of independence granted to the candidate will depend on their experience.