Scientist I (Scientific)

Job Title-Scientist I (Scientific)
Location-La Jolla, CA 92037 (100% onsite)
Duration-14 Months contract with possible extension
Shift Timings-First Shift

Job Description:
This individual will help to develop a semi-synthetic eukaryotic organism to be used to make next generation protein therapeutics.
This work will extend the already developed semi-synthetic E. coli organism, which retains in its DNA an unnatural base pair formed between two synthetic nucleotides and which was engineered to import the corresponding unnatural nucleoside triphosphates from the growth media.
Once imported, the E. coli organism uses the triphosphates to replicate DNA containing the unnatural base pair and to transcribe mRNA and tRNA with new codons and anticodons, respectively, which then allows for the synthesis of proteins containing non-canonical amino acids.
An overview of s SYNTHORIN Technology Platform may be found here.
As efficient translation with the unnatural codon/anticodon pairs has already been demonstrated in CHO and HEK cells (A. X.-Z. Zhou, K. Sheng, A. W. Feldman, F. E. Romesberg. 2019 Progress toward Eukaryotic Semisynthetic Organisms: Translation of Unnatural Codons. J Am Chem Soc 141:20166–20170), we are now seeking a scientist to join the effort to create semi-synthetic eukaryotic organisms by engineering them to import and then use the triphosphates for replication and transcription.
In addition, the successful candidate will use the semi-synthetic organism to produce proteins containing non-canonical amino acids for development as next generation therapeutics.
The successful candidate will also aid in the coordination, planning, and execution of existing and new collaborations with other groups within to explore the development of Client therapeutics for different applications.

Key Responsibilities:
Explore the expression of different nucleotide transporters in eukaryotic cells (e.g. yeasts (S. cerevisiae, P. pastoris) or human cell lines (CHO, HEK)).
Collaboratively design and perform experiments to characterize and/or optimize the uptake of unnatural nucleoside triphosphates.
Collaboratively design and perform experiments to characterize and/or optimize the retention of the unnatural nucleotides during DNA replication and transcription.
Characterize the fidelity with which non-canonical amino acids are incorporated in expressed proteins.
Support efforts to optimize the production of proteins with non-canonical amino acids, including one or multiple instances of the same or two different non-canonical amino acids.
Oversee collaboration with other groups within for the broad use of the developed semi-synthetic organism.
Collaborate with other groups within *** to produce next-generation protein therapeutics.

Basic Qualifications:
* PhD in appropriate field. Postdoctoral training beneficial but not required.
* Proven expertise with eukaryotic strain engineering or synthetic biology.

Preferred Qualifications:
* A general understanding of protein trafficking, DNA replication, and/or transcription in eukaryotic cells.
* Desire to work in a fast-paced laboratory environment with the ability to adapt to changing project goals.

Note:
Experience in eukaryotic cell (e.g. yeast or CHO cells) genetics, including plasmid design and construction, and microscopy

Job Type: Contract

Salary: $40.00 - $47.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 5x8
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• La Jolla, CA 92037: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• eukaryotic cell (e.g. yeast or CHO cells) genetics: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: One location

Salary : $40 - $47