Staff Research Scientist

Job Category: Fulltime Temporary
Exempt Overtime Eligible: Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world’s brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Staff Research Scientist to lead project-specific research in the field of biocatalysis and chemical biology. The successful candidate will drive experimental and analytical components of enzyme engineering projects, particularly focused on novel catalytic functions and peptide-based therapeutics. This role is ideal for a Ph.D.-level scientist with extensive experience in directed evolution, synthetic chemistry, and analytical method development.

This is an Essential Reporting position. In the event of an emergency on campus, an employee designated as essential reporting has essential job skills that are needed for response and recovery and is expected to report to Campus as soon as possible.

Essential Job Duties

• Design, execute, and analyze directed evolution campaigns to develop enzymes with novel or improved catalytic activities.
• Conduct high-throughput screening of biocatalytic reactions using LC-MS and related analytical techniques.
• Construct genetic diversity using techniques such as epPCR, site-saturation mutagenesis (SSM), and StEP recombination.
• Purify proteins using FPLC and characterize enzymatic properties (e.g., activity, enantioselectivity, substrate scope).
• Apply next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms (Illumina and MinION) for deep sequencing of mutant libraries and demultiplex sequencing data.
• Synthesize and purify small molecules and peptide analogs for use as substrates, standards, or therapeutic leads.
• Collaborate with machine learning researchers to interpret sequence-function relationships and validate predictive models.
• Design and carry out SAR studies for peptide or oligonucleotide analogs to optimize delivery and efficacy in biological systems.
• Support manuscript preparation, data presentation, and grant writing.

Basic Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, or a related field.
• 3+ years postdoctoral and/or industry experience.
• Proven expertise in enzyme engineering and biocatalysis, particularly with heme-containing proteins.
• Strong background in synthetic organic chemistry and peptide synthesis/design.
• Proficiency in LC-MS (including QTOF and TOF), FPLC, peptide synthesis, and chromatographic purification (HPLC/UHPLC).
• Experience in NGS library preparation, sequencing, and analysis workflows.
• Demonstrated programming proficiency in Python for data processing and analysis.
• Familiarity with structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation.
• Evidence of scientific leadership, including mentoring and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Strong publication record in journals such as JACS, Nature Synthesis, and Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industrial or translational research experience in biotechnology or therapeutics.
• Prior experience setting up or scaling research infrastructure and training new team members.
• Experience with regulatory or preclinical workflows for therapeutic development.

Required Documents

• Resume.
• Cover letter detailing your relevant experience and research interests.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://hr.caltech.edu/work/job_openings

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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