Be You.
Research Scholar – Director of the Protein Design and Analysis Core
The Research Scholar role will serve as the Director of the Protein Design and Analysis Core provides visionary scientific and operational leadership for a multidisciplinary core facility dedicated to the de novo design, engineering, characterization, and structural analysis of proteins. The Director oversees a team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff, and serves as a strategic partner to internal research programs and external collaborators. This role demands expertise at the intersection of computational protein design, structural biology, and biophysical characterization, combined with the management acumen to operate a high-throughput, service-oriented research core.
Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Biophysics, Computational Biology, Bioengineering, or a closely related field with a minimum of 8–10 years of post-doctoral research or industry experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
Be Bold.
Demonstrated deep expertise in protein expression systems (bacterial, mammalian, insect), purification, and quality control is essential as well as a strong command of biophysical characterization techniques (SPR, ITC, SEC-MALS, CD, DLS, HDX-MS). Proficiency in structural biology methods (X-ray crystallography and/or cryo-EM) and associated software pipelines is required, with hands-on experience with computational protein design platforms (Rosetta, AlphaFold, ESMFold, or equivalent) and relevant scripting languages (Python, PyMOL scripting, etc.).
Choose Duke.
Highly qualified candidates will have a proven track record of scientific productivity evidenced by peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, with demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects and lead interdisciplinary teams.
Duke University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that Duke will specifically seek information about past misconduct or policy violations (in the past ten (10) years) and/or relevant pending investigations as part of the application process. Disclosures will not be an automatic bar to hiring but, instead, will initiate further dialogue regarding past actions and steps taken to address them. Disclosures will not be shared with search committees during the application review process.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions:
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.