Post Doctoral Research Associate
University of Georgia
Athens, GA, USA
Posted on Aug 9, 2025
Posting Details
Position Details
| Posting Number | G/R30681P |
|---|---|
| Working Title | Post Doctoral Research Associate |
| Department | VPR-Complex Carbohyd Rsch Ctr |
| About the University of Georgia | Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine. |
| About the College/Unit/Department | |
| College/Unit/Department website | |
| Employment Type | Employee |
| Additional Schedule Information | |
| Advertised Salary | Commensurate with experience. |
| Anticipated Start Date | 09/01/2025 |
| Posting Date | 08/06/2025 |
| Closing Date | |
| Open Until Filled | Yes |
| Special Instructions to Applicants | |
| Location of Vacancy | Athens Area |
| EOO Statement | The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu). |
| USG Core Values Statement | The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653. |
Duties/Responsibilities
| Duties/Responsibilities | Design of new recombinant DNA constructs within the Moremen lab, generation of recombinant expression constructs, verification by DNA sequencing, and protein expression of a collection of glycosylation enzymes for biochemical and structural characterization. |
|---|---|
| Percentage of time | 45 |
| Duties/Responsibilities | Establishing and optimizing strategies and protocols for protein purification and troubleshooting the isolation of numerous recombinant products including processing in preparation for enzymatic and structural studies. |
|---|---|
| Percentage of time | 15 |
| Duties/Responsibilities | Detailed enzymatic characterization of recombinant glycosylation enzymes including isolation of wild type and mutant enzyme forms and full characterization of kinetic parameters with multiple enzyme substrates. |
|---|---|
| Percentage of time | 15 |
| Duties/Responsibilities | Organize projects in consultation with researchers at remote sites for collaborative projects including preparation of samples, data and reports for these collaborations. |
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| Percentage of time | 10 |
| Duties/Responsibilities | Training and supervision of Research Professionals, Research Technicians, and undergraduate researchers in their duties on generation of recombinant constructs, protein purification, and characterization. |
|---|---|
| Percentage of time | 10 |
| Duties/Responsibilities | Interaction with structural biology groups for preparation of samples for enzymatic glycan synthesis, NMR analysis, and crystallization. |
|---|---|
| Percentage of time | 5 |
Position Details
Position Information
| Classification Title | Post-Doctoral Associate AD |
|---|---|
| FLSA | Exempt |
| UGA Job Code | |
| FTE | 1.0 |
| Minimum Qualifications | |
| Position Summary | The Research Professional has duties to design develop, organize, and supervise the work on a major recombinant protein expression project in the lab employing bacterial and/or mammalian cell culture systems. The goals of this research project will provide large-scale protein production for enzyme structural and functional studies including design of mutations for protein engineering for improved protein stability and expression. The position entails establishing project goals, working directly with supervising faculty to design and implement new recombinant constructs, developing priorities among the large number of constructs, generation and large-scale production of recombinant DNAs, and supervising work of other research staff to accomplish these goals. Duties and expertise also include protein structural visualization and modeling, sequence/structural analysis for protein engineering, and development of high-throughput expression methods for analysis of engineered enzymatic functions. Work duties include close collaboration with senior faculty and working within a larger research group of postdoctoral researchers, research technicians, and undergraduate researchers to develop strategies for high quantity protein expression, and close interaction with investigators at other research sites for the design and generation of new constructs for collaborative studies. Additional roles involve supervision of research professionals, technicians and undergraduate researchers on executing protocols for protein expression in bacteria and mammalian cells, and training research technicians and undergraduate researchers on standard operating procedures. Direct supervision of the Research Professional by senior faculty is anticipated. |
| Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification in Position | A PhD in biochemistry or molecular biology is expected as well as experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, computational biology, protein expression, purification, and general laboratory methods are required. |
| Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies | The job requires detailed capabilities to carry out molecular biology and biochemistry protocols, run all aspects of the protein expression platform, and coordinating and supervising numerous concurrent projects from initiation to completion. The expectation is that Postdoctoral Associate will be well trained in molecular biology, protein biochemistry, enzymology, and computational analysis of modeled protein structure, with a preferred expertise in glycoscience and large-scale protein expression in bacteria and mammalian cell culture. |
| Physical Demands | Normal lab activity. |
| Is this a Position of Trust? | Yes |
| Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? | No |
| Does this position require a P-Card? | No |
| Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? | No |
| Is driving a requirement of this position? | No |
| Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? | No |
| Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) | Yes |
| Background Investigation Policy | Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website. |
Contact Information
Recruitment Contact
| Contact Details | For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below. |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Contact Name | Kelley Moremen |
| Recruitment Contact Email | moremen@uga.edu |
| Recruitment Contact Phone |
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
- Unofficial Transcripts
- List of References with Contact Information