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Job Summary

The Patke and Hoelz Laboratories at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) seek a highly motivated Associate Research Scientist with a Ph.D. and postdoctoral training in molecular biology or cell biology to advance a joint research program focused on the mechanisms of the human circadian clock and its role in human sleep disorders, as well as related projects on nucleocytoplasmic transport. The successful candidate will have substantial scientific independence and project ownership.

Essential Job Duties

Scientific Research:

• Initiate and drive research projects in circadian biology and related areas.
• Perform genetic manipulation of mammalian cell lines and related molecular and cell biological techniques.
• Generate common laboratory reagents and maintain critical research resources.
• Drive data generation in support of high-impact publications and grant applications.
• Analyze and present data at laboratory meetings, conferences, and in manuscripts.

Mentoring and Collaboration:

• Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff as appropriate.
• Train new laboratory personnel and serve as a resource for experimental design and troubleshooting.
• Coordinate collaborations between laboratories, core facilities, academic institutions, and industry partners.
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of research grants, including generation of preliminary data and scientific reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, or a closely related discipline, with a minimum of three years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience.
• Sufficient depth of training to engage independently with laboratory instrumentation and experimental workflows from the outset of employment.
• Proficiency in core molecular biology techniques, including site-directed mutagenesis, DNA cloning, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, DNA purification, and bacterial transformation.
• In-depth expertise in state-of-the-art genome editing techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9, and demonstrated experience in the culture and maintenance of diverse mammalian cell lines.
• Experience with functional cell biological assays that readout biological processes such as transcription repression and/or activation, splicing, protein translation, and protein transport.
• Experience with fixed and live cell imaging of proteins and nucleic acids.
• Strong scientific motivation, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine interest in circadian biology and human sleep disorders.
• Ability to work independently, set daily and long-term priorities, design experimental approaches, operate complex instrumentation, and troubleshoot unexpected results, while knowing when to seek guidance.
• Sound scientific judgment in experimental design and data interpretation, with a track record of working effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to present data clearly at laboratory meetings, contribute to manuscript preparation, and assist with grant writing.

Required Documents

• Resume