POSITION/TITLE: Core Senior Research Specialist – Mass Spectrometry
COMPANY: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
LOCATION: 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, USA 90037

Summary of Position:

This position serves as a senior technical expert to provide core/lab management support of Salk Institute Mass Spectrometry Core services. The incumbent, with limited input from the Core Director, will independently conduct experiments related to LC/MS technologies for proteomics. Responsibilities include independent development and execution of specific workflows for sample preparation including protein fractionation, sample cleanup (precipitation, SPE, and affinity column), in-gel and in-solution protein digestion, lyophilization, stable isotope peptide labeling (i.e. TMT), and enrichment of post-translationally modified peptides.

Responsibilities also include preparation of capillary LC columns, operation of instrument software for data acquisition by LC/MS and usage of bioinformatics software for protein identification and quantification. The position will support the Core Director with management of core operations, including its resources, executing administrative duties, supporting grant writing and training programs, and maintaining lab protocols. Secondarily, the position will engage in sample preparation and analysis for metabolomics and lipidomics applications.  

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community comprises a diverse and talented group of individuals, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Works with Salk researchers to achieve targeted research goals utilizing mass spectrometry (MS) technology platforms for proteomics analysis. Performs procedures associated with protein/peptide identification and quantitative analysis, including sample preparation, instrument operation and data analysis. Provides collaborative support to experiment design and implementation for new and existing approaches to using MS technologies for proteomics analysis. Collaborates and assists Salk researchers on application and development of advanced MS methods for proteomic analysis.   60%
• Supports the Core Director with sample preparation and analysis for metabolomics and lipidomics applications. 15%
• Maintains core facility to include mass spectrometry equipment and instrumentation maintenance and scheduling repairs, oversight of inventory and ordering, instrument QA/QC, data management and record keeping, and overseeing lab safety protocols and practices. 10%
• Reviews current MS-based technologies, particularity in the fields of proteomics by review of relevant literature and attendance at scientific meetings. Reviews the latest in technology (hardware, software and networking) and ensure that recommendations for changes or upgrades will integrate well with existing MASS core technologies. 5%
• Participates in teaching, training and instruction to a broad spectrum of researchers and core users. 5%
• Provides relevant support for grant applications, progress reports, and support for the development and design of training programs, workshops, and seminar series when appropriate. 5%

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

May provide supervision, training and guidance to lower-level personnel.

What we Require

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with 7+ years’ experience, OR graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) with 5+ years’ experience.
• 5+ years of experience in mass spectrometry, to include experience in the design, execution and analysis of mass spectrometry-based experiments for proteomic analysis on current technology platforms, especially Orbitrap systems.
• Experience and detailed understanding of a range of methodologies utilizing MS technology including protein and peptide identification and quantitative analysis, protein pull down experiments, tandem mass tag labeling for multiplexed quantitative analysis. Analysis of post-translational modifications on complex proteomic and peptidomic samples, and other current techniques relevant to proteomic analysis via MS.
• Demonstrated experience in the development, optimization and execution of complex experiments and techniques with reliability and accuracy while working within time constraints.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and managing efficient workflows for various mass spectrometry-based analysis platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, execute and optimize cutting-edge mass spec-based methods.
• Well versed in using analysis software and downstream data analysis of complex mass spec data sets, including use of Proteome Discover, MaxQuant, or other similar programs.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $67,500 to $88,750 per annum. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, department budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.  

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Candidates should apply through the website (deadline for the Fall 2025 admissions is December 2, 2024)

More information on the position and application details: https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/SAL1013SIBS/JobBoard/e9f055e1-a105-4f91-9a67-21aea61655fa/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=850c809a-da7b-48fc-948a-abf58f5b7b88 

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Contact information – Alan Theodore: atheodore@salk.edu (also, below number for messages & Google Voice: 858-255-4628

POSITION/TITLE:  Research Assistant in Proteomics
ORGANIZATION:  Centre for Medicines Discovery, NDM Research Building, Old Road Campus
LOCATION: Headington, Oxford, UK

The Discovery Proteomics at the Centre for Medicine Discovery / Target Discovery Institute/ Nuffield Department of Medicine in University of Oxford has a position opened for a research assistant position. If you are interested, don’t hesitate to apply. The closing date is the 31^st of Oct.

View here for all details.

POSITION/TITLE: Joint PhD position
COMPANY: Lilley Lab (Cambridge) and Nita-Lazar Lab (NIH) through the NIH-Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Program
LOCATION: United Kingdom/USA (the students in the OxCam program are spending 2 years in each location)

Summary of Position:

The NIH-Oxford/Cambridge Scholars program offers the chance for US citizens and permanent residents to carry out dual center PhD programs between the US and Cambridge/Oxford University labs.

The Nita-Lazar and Lilley labs are offering the exciting opportunity to carry out a joint project through this scheme as follows:

The aberrant modification status of proteins is universally recognized as a crucial component of disease. In order to develop therapeutic agents to combat disease, we need to understand the role that posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play within pathological systems, particularly filling in gaps in our knowledge of the effect of aberrant PTMs on subcellular localization. Focusing on infectious diseases using mutant cell lines, mouse models and patient data we will study the link between PTM status and subcellular location which has been so far poorly captured in the majority of experimental workflows. The knowledge of the PTM affecting relocalization of the protein and, in turn, its function, may be pivotal to the correct drug design. This project combines development of state of the art quantitative proteomics methodologies, computational workflows and whole cell modelling which will be used to decipher the mechanism of immunity to infection and propose new ways of treatment.

Interested candidates should apply through the website (deadline for the Fall 2025 admissions is December 2, 2024)

More information on the position and application details: https://oxcam.gpp.nih.gov/prospective-students/how-apply

For questions, please contact Kathryn Lilley (k.s.lilley@bioc.cam.ac.uk) or Aleksandra Nita-Lazar (nitalazarau@niaid.nih.gov). In-person inquiries at the HUPO 2024 Conference in Dresden are welcome.

POSITION/TITLE:  Lead OR Principal Bioinformatics Research Scientist 
COMPANY:  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 
LOCATION:  Memphis, TN, USA

Summary of Position:
Please see job Link here for any and all information about the position:
https://stjude.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/stjude/job/Memphis-TN/Lead-OR-Principal-Bioinformatics-Research-Scientist_JR3493-1 

Link to Full Job Description:
See above link.

X, Facebook and LinkedIn account information (including handles and links):

• https://www.facebook.com/stjude
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/st-jude-childrens-research-hospital
• https://x.com/StJudeResearch

Contact Information:
Please refer to the following application link: https://stjude.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/stjude/job/Memphis-TN/Lead-OR-Principal-Bioinformatics-Research-Scientist_JR3493-1?source=Niche&utm_source=Niche&utm_medium=job-posting

POSITION/TITLE: PhD fellow and/or Post Doctoral fellow
COMPANY: University of Copenhagen
LOCATION: Copenhagen, Denmark

Summary of Position:

The Cardiac Proteomics Group at Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen seeks to appoint a talented PhD fellow and Post Doctoral Fellow to outline protein regulations involved in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic syndrome. The fellows will investigate remodeling in hearts from animal models, patient heart samples as well as cell systems using quantitative proteomics-based approaches to identify molecular changes driving the disease state. We are seeking highly motivated scientists to join our team. Prior experience with mass spectrometry based proteomics -either experimentally or analytically- is required.

More information on the PhD fellow position here:
https://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=162530

More information on the post doctoral fellow position here:
https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/?show=162531

Application closing date: November 1st  2024, 01/11/2024

POSITION/TITLE:  Senior Scientist
LOCATION:  North West England

Job Summary

Seeking a Senior Scientist to support the development of clinical assays for biomarkers arising from a proteomics biomarker discovery platform. The candidate will be involved in a variety of projects that aim to expand the portfolio of proteomic and phosphoproteomic assays, and to develop these into new clinical products. The ideal candidate for this role will have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field with expertise in developing targeted mass spectrometry-based assays on triple quadrupole instruments.

This role will be based full time at our Cheshire lab and will have responsibilities to both the LC-MS/MS team and a newly formed product development team aiming to take biomarkers from research setting to clinical labs. The role will report to the Mass Spectrometry Technical Lead as well as interact closely with the Head of Product. Current LC-MS/MS capabilities include a Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 240 mass spectrometer, coupled to a Vanquish Neo UHPLC, a Thermo Altis Plus triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled to a Vanquish Neo UHPLC and a ZenoTOF 7600 coupled to a Waters ACQUITY M-Class UPLC. The number and range of LC- MS/MS systems required is likely to increase as methods diversify and sample numbers increase.

Responsibilities and Duties

Development of clinically applicable targeted assays

• Develop targeted LC-MS methods on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer to accurately and robustly quantify peptide biomarkers arising from research.
• Devise strategies for normalisation and quality control to ensure tests are accurate, reproducible and reliable and to ensure we adhere to the relevant quality standards.
• Work with the product development team and quality manager to ensure appropriate systems, monitoring and documentation is in place during development of a test which can ultimately be relied upon to aid patient treatment decision making.
• Author and/or contribute to regulatory submissions, technical protocols and reports.

General LC-MS/MS operation and maintenance

• Work with the Mass Spectrometry Technical Lead to ensure that LC-MS/MS systems are regularly maintained and calibrated, that all buffers are properly prepared and regularly replaced, and to ensure that the proper Quality Control samples are run, and robust checks are in place.
• Outputs of all maintenance, calibrations, QC work are to be documented for reporting purposes.
• To make process improvements and project efficiencies wherever possible and to contribute freely to the team environment in a manner conducive to the success of company goals.
• To work as part of a lab-based team, being mutually supportive and covering duties as necessary during colleagues’ absences and at times of additional pressure, as directed.

The above list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the jobholder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the level of the role, as reasonably requested by their manager.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

Essential

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant or STEM based subject.
• ≥2 years of hands-on experience running/operating high-end LC-MS/MS systems (including hands- on experience calibrating the MS systems, basic maintenance of LC-MS/MS, renewing buffers, running QCs, interpreting data, and reporting QC outputs).
• Specific experience running triple quadrupole mass spectrometers and developing targeted methods.
• Expertise developing clinical assays utilising LC-MS/MS proteomic technologies.
• Experienced interrogating LC-MS/MS raw data using vendor software (e.g., Thermo’s Xcalibur/Freestyle/Chromeleon, or SciexOS).
• Ability to work to timelines.
• Excellent communication skills and teamwork skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and time management skills.
• Ability to contribute to the team success.
• A high degree of personal motivation and a willingness to learn new skills, take on challenges and undertake relevant training.

Non-essential, but added advantage

• Experience with quality management systems and documentation.
• Experience in developing and validating mass spec instrumentation and methods.
• Experience working to ISO 15189, CLIA or working in a similar regulated environment.
• Knowledge of medical device design control processes.
• Experienced in preparing samples using proteomic workflows for LC-MS/MS analysis.
• Knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles of biochemical and molecular biological systems.
• Expertise in the utilisation of LC-MS/MS proteomic technologies for the identification and validation of clinical biomarkers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
David Britton:  d.britton@globalproteomics.com