Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 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 established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department
College/Unit/Department website
Posting Type
External
Retirement Plan
TRS or ORP
Employment Type
Employee
Benefits Eligibility
Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time
Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information
Normal hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm but hours and days could vary based on research.
Advertised Salary
$65,000
Posting Date
09/22/2025
Open until filled
Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date
11/01/2025
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy
Athens Area
EEO Policy 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 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well 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 08.02.18.01.02.
Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
PhD in biochemistry and/or molecular biology. The applicant is expected to have an exceptional track record with first author publications supporting expertise in recombinant protein expression in mammalian cells and bacteria, including protein purification, characterization, and enzymatic assays.
Position Summary
The successful candidate will be a highly experienced biochemist with detailed knowledge in recombinant protein expression, protein purification, enzyme assays and kinetic analysis. The candidate is expected to have experience in personnel supervision, have good interpersonal skills to work in a diverse research environment, and have an exceptional track record of publications in the protein expression and characterization field. The successful applicant for this position will interact with other faculty members, staff, students, and the lab PI (Dr. Moremen) as well as faculty, staff and students in other departments on campus and outside of the University. The candidate will help in the supervision of other members of the Moremen lab. In addition, the candidate will be expected to contribute to preparation of reports and publication of their research efforts.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
Recombinant protein expression in mammalian cells and bacteria.
Experience in recombinant protein purification, characterization, and enzymatic assays.
Exceptional track record with first-author publications supporting expertise in recombinant protein expression in mammalian cells and bacteria, including protein purification, characterization, and enzymatic assays.
Physical Demands
Normal lab activity.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?
No
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
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
Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
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.
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
Oversight, Design, and Generation of Glycoenzyme Expression Constructs
Design recombinant expression constructs for a large library of glycoenzymes, using computational analysis of modeled protein structures and applying protein engineering strategies to target specificities in glycan synthesis.
Plan and execute site-directed mutagenesis, domain swapping, and construct optimization, ensuring a range of enzyme variants to yield broad substrate and activity ranges.
Develop and document experimental protocols for cloning, expression, and characterization of glycoenzymes, maintaining accurate and reproducible workflows.
Evaluate protein models and predict structure-function relationships to prioritize constructs for synthesis and analysis.
Troubleshoot construct design issues, incorporating feedback from initial expression and activity results to refine and improve enzyme design.
Percentage of time
40
Duties/Responsibilities
Oversight and Execution of Protein Purification and Characterization
Oversee and perform large-scale expression and purification of recombinant proteins in various host systems (e.g., E. coli, mammalian cells), troubleshooting issues in protein yield, solubility, and purity.
Conduct detailed biophysical and enzymatic analyses (e.g., SDS - PAGE , thermal stability, enzyme assays, kinetic profiling), characterizing both wild-type and engineered enzyme forms for activity and stability.
Optimize purification protocols (affinity, size-exclusion) for recovery of active recombinant proteins, including scaling up for preparative purposes.
Analyze and interpret kinetic parameters (e.g., Km, Vmax, turnover number) for multiple substrates to generate comparative data datasets for enzyme variants.
Document experimental outcomes, maintaining accurate lab records and preparing technical summaries to guide team efforts.
Percentage of time
30
Duties/Responsibilities
Supervision and Mentoring
Directly supervise research technician(s), graduate, and undergraduate students, assigning tasks, setting priorities, and monitoring progress related to enzyme expression projects.
Develop training materials and provide hands-on instruction, ensuring junior staff and trainees are proficient in molecular biology, protein expression, and analytical methods.
Facilitate regular check-ins and constructive feedback sessions, mentoring trainees and fostering a collegial, high-performance group culture.
Organize and lead project meetings for supervised staff, clarifying goals, troubleshooting experiments, and resolving challenges as they arise.
Percentage of time
10
Duties/Responsibilities
Project Reporting and Communication
Prepare detailed written reports summarizing project status, challenges, milestones, and recent findings for distribution to the PI, collaborators, and funding bodies.
Present project progress and troubleshoot issues at weekly laboratory meetings, using data visualizations and oral communication skills to clearly communicate complex results.
Contribute to the preparation of manuscripts, grant applications, and presentations for scientific conferences, as required by the PI.
Percentage of time
10
Duties/Responsibilities
Coordination with External Collaborators
Coordinate experimental efforts and timelines with outside collaborative partners, including academic and industry groups.
Prepare and ship samples (proteins, constructs, data) according to collaboration agreements, ensuring compliance with shipping regulations and quality standards.
Draft and review collaborative reports summarizing shared results and experimental findings.
Serve as the primary contact for collaborators, responding to technical questions, coordinating material transfers, and ensuring joint objectives are met.
Percentage of time
10
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
Kristie Huff
Recruitment Contact Email
kghuff@uga.edu
Recruitment Contact Phone
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Resume/CV
List of References with Contact Information
Optional Documents
Job ID: 84402465
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Median Salary
Net Salary per month
$3,519
Median Apartment Rent in City Center
(1-3 Bedroom)
$1,333
-
$2,306
$1,820
Safety Index
50/100
50
Utilities
Basic
(Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage for 915 sq ft apartment)
$85
-
$600
$157
High-Speed Internet
$50
-
$125
$64
Transportation
Gasoline
(1 gallon)
$2.76
Taxi Ride
(1 mile)
$3.75
Data is collected and updated regularly using reputable sources, including corporate websites and governmental reporting institutions.
