Staff Scientist - Molecular Biology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX
Job posting number: #7310414 (Ref:22795-en_US)
Posted: June 12, 2025
Job Description
Summary
A Staff Scientist position in Molecular and Cellular Biology is available in Dr. Lisa McClendon’s laboratory. Seeking a molecular biologist with demonstrated expertise in transcriptional coactivator activity to join a research-driven team focused on gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and transcriptional control. The Staff Scientist will possess hands-on experience in dissecting the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional coactivators, their interactions with transcription factors, and their roles in gene expression and cellular signaling pathways.
Ideal candidate will be able to begin employment asap or prior to end of July.
Job Duties
- Design, execute, and interpret experiments investigating the function and mechanisms of transcriptional coactivators in eukaryotic gene regulation.
- Characterize the recruitment and assembly of coactivator complexes at gene promoters and enhancers, including chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), protein-protein interaction assays, and advanced imaging techniques.
- Study the interplay between transcription factors and coactivators, focusing on how coactivators facilitate chromatin remodeling, histone modifications (e.g., acetylation, methylation), and RNA polymerase II recruitment.
- Analyze the role of specific coactivator complexes (e.g., SRC-1, SRC-2, and SRC-3, CBP/p300) in transcriptional activation and their integration of upstream signaling events.
- Investigate the dynamic behavior of coactivator complexes using structural biology approaches (e.g., cryo-EM, FRET), proteomics, and quantitative interactomics.
- Contribute to the understanding of coactivator-mediated chromatin looping and enhancer-promoter communication.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to study the impact of coactivator function on cellular differentiation, development, and response to environmental cues.
- Prepare scientific reports, manuscripts, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
- Perform other job related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Doctoral Degree. Experience may not be substituted in lieu of degree.
- Three years of post doctoral research experience.
Department Specific Criteria
- Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related field with a focus on transcriptional regulation.
- Extensive laboratory experience in molecular biology techniques relevant to transcriptional coactivator research (e.g., ChIP, co-immunoprecipitation, gene expression analysis, chromatin accessibility assays).
- Deep understanding of the structure, function, and assembly of transcriptional coactivator complexes and their roles in gene expression.
- Experience with functional genomics, proteomics, or structural biology is highly desirable.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex biological data.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.
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Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission, and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care. - Diversity, respect, and inclusiveness create an environment that is conducive to academic excellence, and strengthens our institution by increasing talent, encouraging creativity, and ensuring a broader perspective. - Diversity helps position Baylor to reduce disparities in health and healthcare access and to better address the needs of the community we serve. - Baylor is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, trainees, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds by providing a welcoming, supportive learning environment for all members of the Baylor community.
