Scripps Staff Scientist

A staff scientist position is immediately available in Professor Tina Izard’s cell adhesion laboratory. Recent PhD graduates in structural biology with experience in high-resolution structure determination and Unix knowledge are a better fit for this position.

The laboratory collaborates with several other laboratories on campus including exciting collaborative and currently active projects with Professors Kirill Martemyanov (www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abl4732), Kendall Nettles ( https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.210165711), Susana Valente (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30723126), and Luiz Carvalho (https://scripps.ufl.edu/profile/carvalho-luiz-pedro/).

Thus, there are several exciting opportunities for a variety of very interesting projects beyond structure-function studies of cytoskeletal proteins that control signaling downstream of adherens junctions and focal adhesions with implications in cancer and heart diseases and more recently structure-function studies of novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis targets in collaboration with Professor Luiz Carvalho (https://scripps.ufl.edu/profile/carvalho-luiz-pedro/).

The laboratory is recognized as a world leader and provides outstanding training in protein biochemistry and structural, molecular, and cellular biology, in a highly dynamic and team-oriented research program.

The successful candidate will work in a cutting-edge research environment with new state-of-the-art facilities. The laboratory has outstanding facilities for cell biology, molecular biology, protein expression, purification, and biochemistry, cryogenic electron microscopy, and protein crystallography. The laboratory has access to a large cast of outstanding Cores that facilitate basic research and drug development. The unique infrastructure includes the application of unique chemical, genomic, proteomic, informatics, and high-throughput screening and engineering tools for the discovery of novel biomolecules.

Professor Tina Izard is a board member of the Southeast Regional Collaborative Access Team (SER-CAT) that constructed two beam lines at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory. The insertion device and bending magnet beam lines are available for all the synchrotron-related data collection needs for the post-doctoral associates.

Professor Tina Izard recently installed the first 300 kV cryo Atomic Resolution Microscope (cryoARM300) in the Americas ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdVxAN8xy1w&feature=youtu.be) and has plenty of microscope time dedicated to the post-doctoral associate. This state-of-the-art transmission electron microscope is a 300 kV high resolution microscope capable of carrying out cryogenic-electron microscopy studies by providing atomic resolution for structural studies involving single particle analyses. The transmission electron microscope is equipped with new and improved Gatan K3 direct electron detector camera that has better DQE, larger field of view (24 Megapixels – 5,760 x 4,092) and faster (3.75 times that of K2 camera). The direct detection devices are exquisitely sensitive, produce high signal to noise images, and are ideal for high-resolution studies.

Professor Tina Izard designed and installed a HighFlux X-ray diffraction system, specifically a Rigaku MicroMax-007 HF, a second-generation microfocus rotating anode generator together with a mar345 Image Plate detector. An Osmic VariMax optics system and the Proteros Free Mounting System can be used to control the humidity and to optimize diffraction characteristics, including resolution, mosaicity, and anisotropy, as well as reduced X-ray background.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Ph.D. in an appropriate scientific discipline required.  A minimum of 2 years postdoctoral experience.

Experience in high-resolution structure determination and Unix knowledge. Any structural biologist is highly encouraged to apply. Applicants with recently awarded PhD degrees in structural biology is preferred.

This position has been reposted. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply.

In order to be considered, please upload your resume and cover letter.

Please provide names and email addresses of three references as part of the application process. When ready, the hiring department will contact the listed references via email requesting their reference letters to be uploaded directly to the application website.

For any inquiries, you may contact Dr. T. Izard, at t.izard@ufl.edu.

This position is open until filled.  Application review will begin September 19, 2023.

The University of Florida is an equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University of Florida invites all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under the Florida Sunshine and Public Records laws.