Research Assistant, Biochemistry, Karbstein

Research Assistant, Biochemistry, Karbstein

Join Vanderbilt University’s Karbstein Lab in the Department of Biochemistry.

The lab studies ribosome assembly, quality control, and repair. The work advances understanding of cellular mechanisms underlying ribosome integrity and is relevant to cancer biology and aging. Research relies on biochemistry, molecular biology, and yeast genetics. Sample publications include Blomqvist et al., 2023 (PLoS Genetics);
Yang et al., 2023 (Mol Cell);
Parker et al., 2024 (PLoS Biology);
Yang & Karbstein, 2024 (bioRxiv).

The lab is mid‑sized, supportive, fast‑paced, and committed to diversity, inclusion, wellness, and work‑life balance. The associate will perform research and maintain lab infrastructure, working closely with PI Dr. Karbstein. Expected to produce first‑author data within 1–2 years.

• Purify ribosomes from various organisms for mass spectrometry analysis.
• Perform protein gels, Western blotting, and mass spectrometry to analyze ribosome assembly factors and ribosomal proteins.
• Use Northern blotting to analyze ribosome assembly in cells.
• Use agarose gels to analyze PCR screens and reactions.
• Generate yeast, worm, and human cell line strains.
• Use quantitative growth measurements to monitor genetic interactions.
• Design and clone proteins and RNAs for yeast, worm, or human in‑vivo and in‑vitro assays.
• Analyze RNA‑seq data.
• Analyze experiments independently and prepare presentations for the PI.
• May supervise interns, work‑study students or undergraduates.

• Reports administratively and functionally to the PI.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Four years of relevant experience.

• Ability to perform buffer calculations (molarity, dilution factor, etc.).
• Experience with protein and/or RNA biochemistry preferred.
• Computational experience preferred.
• Comfortable learning new assays.