Senior Research Scientist, Laboratory of Dr. Joseph Noel

Salk's Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI) program focuses on using plant biology and biochemistry to substantially increase plant derived durable soil and wetlands carbon sequestration and improved soil health through two tracks, CRoPS (CO2 Removal on a Planetary Scale) and CPR (Coastal Plant Restoration). The Sr. Research Scientist performs an integral role in HPI as well as the lab being a senior lab leader, helping to organize and manage research projects, facilitating and carrying out key instructive roles in research projects, and writing and submitting grants in support of HPI, the PI's and lab members' funding initiatives. They serve as a vital nexus between the lab scientists and the PI, with a particular emphasis on supporting grant submissions and management of grant milestones. They will be intimately involved in maintaining lab organization with the lab coordinator, budgeting and ordering, and data storage. They will also be responsible for design and execution of experimental procedures appropriate to the goals of multiple projects and work closely with other scientists in the lab to ensure sustained productivity on grants. They will help to organize complex collaborative projects, perform scientific literature evaluation to optimize design of experiments and research strategies. Additional duties include protocol design and analysis of data, oral presentations, and reports of scientific results and progress and project supervision of students and/or postdocs in the lab.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(75%) Research and Experiment Design

• Make innovative contributions pertaining to laboratory experiments according to the goals of the research project.
• Design & execute experimental procedures, including new technologies, according to the research goals, with critical evaluation of research results.
• Collect, organize and analyze data including statistical analysis.
• Manage multiple projects including organization of lab notebooks and computer files, according to project discipline.
• Establish relationship(s) with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) system laboratories for collaborations/agreements and to gain access to NMR instruments.
• Perform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance experiments in both solid and solution states including establishing NMR methods to be used in conjunction with other physicochemical techniques.
• Independently perform research experiments, including sample preparation for NMR studies. Work collaboratively with and train other lab members to advance this technology in multiple projects.
• Independently perform research experiments, including NMR sample preparation, and solid-state NMR experiments. Work collaboratively with and train other lab members to advance this technology in multiple projects.
• Independently establish metabolomic analyses using mass spectrometry and mass-spectrometry imaging. Work collaboratively with and train other lab members to advance this technology into multiple projects.
• Perform general cellular and molecular biology techniques where needed.
• Provide up-dates of research progress to faculty supervisor, in verbal and written forms.
• Conduct presentations to laboratory members and collaborators.
• Prepare documents and supporting materials, including charts and graphs, for professional scientific conferences and publications in scientific journals.
• Examine and interpret scientific literature, content of web sites, and other scientific resources to maintain cutting-edge research studies.

(25%) Grant, Data and Manuscript Preparation and Submissions

• Assist with grant submissions in collaboration with PI: (1) outlining Aims and Research strategies, (2) preparation of budgets and administrative sections, (3) preparation of figures for grants and (4) independent writing of various grant sections.
• Assist with submission of annual grant progress reports.
• Assist PI with the overall administration of team or multi-PI grants- PRE-AWARD- assisting with grant submissions, coordinating with multiple PIs for creation of budgets and research strategies, and administrative sections. POST-AWARD- organize and oversee monthly meetings with PI's and lab members, ensure and track progress of grant and help with annual progress reporting.
• Assist with manuscript editing and formatting to meet agency publisher guidelines.
• Prepare tables and illustrations for publication and research proposals.
• Prepare and distribute manuscripts, lab reports, lab manuals, and other materials.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of advanced experience in NMR spectroscopy with focus on solid-state NMR of macromolecules, including new experiments and pulse sequence design.
• Minimum 5 years of research experience on insoluble polymeric systems, including sample preparation and physicochemical characterization, with emphasis on biomolecules, supramolecular assemblies, and lipid bilayers.
• Minimum 5 years of advanced experience in any of the following life sciences: structural biology, biophysical chemistry, polymer science and molecular biology.
• 5 years of experience with NIH grant writing and submissions including writing, researching, gathering data and organizing information in order to produce clear and concise reports/grants.
• Experience with isotopic labeling of biomolecules for NMR, such as proteins, lipids or small molecules.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting data. Experience designing new experiments and methods as new techniques are established.
• Experience training and advising staff on research techniques.
• Experience with computational platforms such as R, Matlab or equivalent. Comfortable learning new software to NMR and other physicochemical data.
• Experience establishing and carrying out collaborative projects, and research involving two or more laboratories.

Preferred:

• Minimum 10 years of advanced experience in NMR spectroscopy with focus on solid-state NMR of macromolecules, including new experiments and pulse sequence design.

EDUCATION

Required

• PhD in physical sciences or related field

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required

• Demonstrate the ability to conduct and oversee independent research. This includes the ability to (a) develop, maintain, execute, and complete research projects of varying size and scope; (b) critically read, understand, and extract information from published medical and biological literature to prepare background information for scientific abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant proposals; (c) perform basic data and statistical analysis; and (d) produce high-quality abstracts, manuscripts, lectures, and grant applications.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; interact with all levels of management and employees across multiple departments. Demonstrated ability to supervise and train students and other technicians.
• Ability to independently design experiments and debug protocols.
• Ability to manage and track large numbers of samples meticulously.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently evaluate administrative goals, prioritize plan for implementation, establish timelines, secure and oversee the participation of appropriate contributors, organize materials and ensure quality product within established deadlines.
• Familiarity with scientific and biomedical technology. Ability to analyze and interpret data and assist with writing scientific papers and grants.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with MAC operating systems, commonly used software and tools, such as Microsoft Office , electronic mail, and the internet.
• Experience with computational platforms such as Matlab, R, or equivalent. Comfortable learning new software to analyze biophysical data.
• Comfortable learning new experimental techniques and methods.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory management and safety procedures.
• Ability to make independent decisions, analyze situations, solve problems, and initiate actions for the effective management of a large and complex department.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent written skills and knowledge of English language, including grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• Excellent oral communication skills. Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly, effectively, tactfully, and patiently in person, on the telephone, and in writing to a diverse group of people (including researchers, health care providers, patients, research participants, administrators, industry representatives) in the academic, scientific, and commercial communities.
• Ability to disseminate scientific knowledge and teach techniques effectively to other laboratory members and students.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment.
• Must be willing to work an adjusted schedule to support research needs.
• Successful completion of the Institute's background investigation.
• Must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.

The salary range for this position is $82,000-$107,250 annually

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/MENTAL ACTIVITIES/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

This position will be constantly seeing, sitting, analyzing, calculating, communicating, reading, reasoning, writing, and working inside.