POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE - Balch Lab

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Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe. If you have a passion for making a difference, this could be your opportunity to join our transformative team.

POSITION TITLE: Postdoctoral Associate POSITION SUMMARY: The spatial genomics-proteomics oriented cell/computational biology laboratory of Dr. William E. Balch in the Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Scripps Research has an opening for a candidate with an interest in understanding and treating the underlying basis of mono- and polygenic diseases impacting the protein fold in response to genetic variation in the human population. The work is at the interface of combining human physiology with machine learning modeling approaches, linking bench to bedside to the discovery of therapeutics to treat human disease. Successful candidates will contribute to the development and application of experimental/computational approaches to assess the impact of genetic diversity found in different disease causing variants in individuals that can be interrogated by machine learning approaches to the population as a whole. Join the Balch lab which is at the forefront of exciting new developments of genetic disease therapeutics.

Postdoctoral Associates are appointed positions for the purpose of developing scholarly competence, working under the supervision of a Scripps Research Faculty member. These appointments are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. Postdoctoral Associates cannot apply for external funding either as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator without prior approval from a Departmental Chair.

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REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a Ph.D., M.D., D. Phil., or equivalent degree from a recognized institution of higher learning. A pending doctoral degree may be considered with approval of the Principal Investigator and Human Resources.

• Experimentally, skillsets of interest include expertise in tissue culture, biochemical tools (SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting, ELISA, protein assay), and a good working knowledge of molecular techniques including generation of mutant plasmids, transfection with plasmids/siRNA for transient protein expression in cell-based reporter systems as well as use of CRISPR and transcriptomics/proteomics technologies.
• Knowledge of high throughput/high content assay formats (96/384 well) will be considered an important contribution to project implementation.
• Computationally, knowledge of and appreciation of value of large datasets mined from both experimental and large open access databases to train machine learning approaches that can link our bench efforts to the clinical population harboring rare disease would be an important skillset

COMPENSATION: Postdoctoral Associates will be hired following the National Institute of Health and California's exempt salary guidelines, which provide for a starting range of $70,304 - $73,230. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Full suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more.
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care).
• Free, on-site Counseling Center which provides confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees and their family members.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies.
• Free, on-site parking.
• Pet Insurance

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.

EEO Statement:The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.