Description
The New York State Institute for Basic Research is dedicated to understanding the causes of and possible treatments for a broad spectrum of developmental disabilities. IBR is presently recruiting for a Research Scientist 4 to join our Institute and ensure successful transition planning in our Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, which is part of the Centralized Services division, supporting the research work on our diverse research scientist profile. NYS OPWDD IBR provides a professional setting in a world-renowned research facility located on Staten Island, NY, on a wooded, suburban campus with free off-street parking. Attendance at and participation in professional meetings and conferences is encouraged and financially supported, and publication fees in professional journals are supported through the agency budget. Telecommuting work plan is negotiable after some probation period.
The Laboratory of Molecular Structure and Function provides mass spectrometric (MS) analyses to collaborating principal investigators at the Institute with the primary focus on proteomic analysis of mouse models of disease. The MS laboratory occupies a 460 sq. ft. laboratory with adjacent office spaces and is currently equipped with a Waters Xevo G2-XS tandem mass spectrometer interfaced with a 3-pump M-Class ACQUITY™ UPLC system via a nanoflow electrosprayer with a lock mass attachment. The system uses 1D or online 2D separation methods (SCX-RP or RP-RP) to separate peptides for analysis primarily by MSe functions provided in the MassLynx 4.2 software suite. Proteomics data are processed using the ProteinLynx 3.0.3 and Progenesis QIP software suites as well as the MassLnyx 4.2 suite. Data are collected initially on a Lenovo ThinkStation P720 computer workstation and processed on a separate Lenovo ThinkStation P720. Long-term data storage is on dual mirrored Synology DS420+ servers with current capacity of 20.9 TB with backup to USB drives.
Current research projects underway include but are not limited to: We are using a MS proteomic approach to characterize a range of transgenic mouse models of Ogden Syndrome (OS), which in humans shows diverse pathological features including infant lethality. OS is caused by an X-linked mutation in the NAA10 gene that codes for the catalytic subunit of an N-terminal acetyltransferase (NatA). Our goal is to understand the roles that the Naa10 gene and NatA play in mouse development from the loss of NatA activity through the divergent pathways that lead to embryonic death.
Ultimately, in this position, the incumbent will direct collaborative research projects using high-resolution UPLC-mass spectrometry.
Primary Responsibilities:
Ability to successfully operate a UPLC (ultra performance liquid chromatography)system
Facilitate successful data extraction for analysis and engage in productive interpretation of findings
Maintain and expand custom database, demonstrate experience running queries and display a working knowledge of SQL (structured query language)
Support maintenance of data structure, server access and data backup of systems
Collaborate with laboratory scientists and principal investigators on multi-disciplinary projects
Facilitate and maintain good communication with collaborators
Display and engage in scientific curiosity to develop future research questions and collaboration opportunities
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications: Non-competitive, Bachelor's Degree and five years of professional research experience in an appropriate field. Substitutions; Master's Degree in an appropriate field may substitute for one year of experience, and PhD in an appropriate field may substitute for an additional year of research.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology or related field and laboratory experience with high resolution mass spectrometry, preferably with proteomic or biomolecular samples. Facility with computers and software, including an understanding of bioinformatics approaches, databases and Excel spreadsheets. Programming experience is beneficial
