Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate - The Skellam Lab
Employee Classification: Postdoctoral Research Assoc
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Provost
SubDivision-Department: UNT-College of Science
Department: UNT-Biological Sciences-121100
Job Location: Denton
Salary: Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and discipline, in accordance with university guidelines and available funding.
FTE: 1.00
Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.
We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.
Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu
Department Summary
The Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, and the BioDiscovery Institute, at the University of North Texas are equipped with modern facilities for all aspects of the research and have a strong community of research groups in biochemistry and molecular biology for a stimulating intellectual environment.
The Skellam lab at the University of North Texas is seeking a highly motivated and determined Postdoctoral Research Associate with experience in manipulating / engineering eukaryotic cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) for biotechnological use. This position will investigate the use of P450s as biocatalysts in Nicotinana benthamiana and / or filamentous fungi, testing approaches for enhancing interactions with redox partners, ensure correct anchoring, and designing mutagenesis experiments to diversify substrate scope.
The project is highly interdisciplinary and will require knowledge and experience of molecular biology, fungal / plant cell biology, protein modelling, and analytical chemistry techniques. The successful candidate will join a team consisting of postdocs, research assistants, graduate and undergraduate students, in a highly collaborative environment. This project provides opportunities to learn additional techniques such as confocal microscopy, metabolic engineering, and natural product chemistry techniques. 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 engineering P450 enzymes in eukaryotic hosts
• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as gene cloning, plasmid construction, PCR, RT-PCR, Western blots and bioinformatic skills to aide in experimental design
• Proficiency with protein structural predictions and protein purification
• Ability to work independently
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with agrobacterium / protoplast -mediated transformation
• Experience with molecular modelling / docking
• A passion for developing biotechnology solutions
• Good interpersonal skills and a team-working attitude
• Interest in training and mentoring students
Required License/Registration/Certifications
Job Duties
Physical Requirements
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Environmental Hazards
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
varies based on assignment
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, 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. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration 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 a related investigation or proceeding.
The University of North Texas System includes the University of North Texas in Denton, the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and the University of North Texas at Dallas. The UNT System Administration is based in Downtown Dallas. UNTS is governed by a Board of Regents appointed by the Governor of Texas and is the only Texas public university system headquartered in the vibrant North Texas region. The three independent universities of the UNT System have combined enrollment exceeding 42,000 students across five major teaching locations, including each main campus, as well as Frisco and Downtown Dallas. UNTS institutions award more than 9,000 degrees each year – including the largest number of master’s and doctoral degrees in the region. Overall, the UNT System boosts the Texas economy by nearly $5.2 billion each year.
