Primary Work Address: Leichtag Biomedical Research Building, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0646

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About the role:

This role will be responsible for contributing to the Reck-Peterson lab’s research program on filamentous fungal biology and secondary metabolite production. The Reck-Peterson lab discovered that peroxisomes in filamentous fungi move by “hitchhiking” on early endosomes. Through a genetic screen they discovered a putative protein linker between the two organelles. Current efforts are aimed at understanding the mechanism and function of organelle hitchhiking. 

This role will be one of two high ranking non-Investigator roles within the lab. Ideal candidates will be confident and comfortable in a leadership role, have a strong desire to serve as a trusted resource for the other members of the lab, and contribute to the lab’s culture of doing collaborative science.

About Department/Lab:

Dr. Reck-Peterson’s laboratory studies the mechanisms of intracellular transport. The Reck-Peterson lab strives to understand how this system works at molecular, cellular, and organismal scales. At a disease level they are interested in developing novel antifungals based on their fundamental studies of organelle trafficking and secondary metabolite production in fungi. They also strive to determine why defects in intracellular transport cause neurodegenerative diseases. They use a combination of approaches including protein biochemistry and in vitro reconstitution, single-molecule biophysics, proteomics and genomics, fungal genetics, evolutionary analysis, mammalian cell culture, and state-of-the-art live-cell imaging. Through collaborations they have access to cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography to pursue structural studies of the transport machinery.

What we provide:

• Relocation Assistance
• A competitive compensation package
• Opportunity to work in a small, diverse, and encouraging research environment.
• A flexible schedule
• Well-rounded training on techniques and soft skills
• One on one mentorship, and support/training for the next stage of your career

What you’ll do:

Research:  80%. 

• Support the collaborative research environment and provide guidance on technical and operational aspects of research.  Develop and implement research projects, as well as identify methodological problems in research protocols and develop solutions to those problems. Review research activities to determine where new information, methods, or collaborations could positively impact projects. Routinely develops innovative techniques and data analysis pipelines required to meet research goals, and may coordinate and train lab members on specialized research methods such fungal biology and genetics. Use Software applications to assemble, format and/or perform statistical analyses of data and to mine large proteomic and RNAseq datasets. 

Lab Operations:   20%.

• Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, Research Associates, and other staff.  Train others in the use of specialized equipment as necessary. Read and review scientific literature.  Write and edit manuscripts, fellowship applications, and portions of grants.
• Along with other duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator, the candidate will serve as a senior member of the lab, acting as a resource for both students and staff for a variety of issues.

What we need from you:

Education

• PhD in the biological, biomedical or biochemical sciences

Skills and Abilities:

• A strong desire to mentor and teach trainees of all levels.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong verbal and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal interaction skills.
• More than five years of research experience after earning a PhD.
• A broad range of scientific experience and a strong publication record
• Strong track record in the field of fungal biology
• Wet lab skills in fungal biology: cell culture, genetic engineering, genetics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong knowledge base in fungal cell biology, in particular filamentous fungi.
• Strong knowledge base in the cytoskeleton and membrane trafficking.
• Secondary metabolism: methods to isolate and analyze secondary metabolites.
• Live-cell imaging with confocal microscopy.
• Phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses.
• Mining proteomic and RNAseq dataset.
• Molecular biology.

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more. 

Compensation Range

$67,540.00 (minimum) - $84,400.00 (midpoint) - $109,780.00 (maximum)

Pay Type:

Annual

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer