Associate Research Scientist - Biochemistry

The lab of Dr. Timothy Street at Brandeis University seeks an ambitious Associate Research Scientist to help lead an effort to enhance the labs scientific infrastructure and accelerate research discoveries. Our lab investigates the mechanisms by which molecular chaperones control protein folding and degradation. We integrate diverse structural approaches, protein folding methods, kinetic and thermodynamic analyses, and computational modeling to uncover how Hsp70 and Hsp90 chaperones utilize ATP-driven conformational changes to modulate client protein folding.

The long-term vision is to construct an AI-powered research assistant capable of proposing and testing quantitative, mechanistic hypotheses using data generated in the lab. This position integrates research, data science, mentoring, and infrastructure development. The Associate Research Scientist will standardize and organize the labs high-quality experimental data, ensure that results are accessible for reanalysis and integration, and contribute to building a training pipeline that supports both undergraduate and graduate researchers. A major aim of this initiative is to broaden access to research experiences for undergraduates by enabling scalable, well-structured experimental workflows.

Initial appointment is for two years, with the potential for renewal.

Key Responsibilities:

Scientific training and mentorship 40%

• Develop modular training materials for experimental design, data collection, and interpretation.

• Support onboarding and early-stage training for undergraduate and graduate researchers.

• Serve as a technical and scientific mentor for trainees

AI-driven discovery of macromolecular mechanisms 40%

• Integrate the database into an evolving "Street Lab AI model" to facilitate data retrieval, hypothesis generation, and hypothesis testing.

• Integrate experimental data into mechanistic models that can be iteratively refined through new experiments.

• Assist with writing manuscripts and publishing papers arising from associated discoveries.

Database development and maintenance- 20%

• Manage a user-friendly, structured database of Street-lab experimental results for both published and unpublished work.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biophysics, structural biology, biochemistry, or a related field

• 1-3 years of experience managing scientific datasets or databases

• Excellent communication and mentoring skills

• Strong interest in integrating experimental and computational approaches

• Experience with constructing quantitative mechanistic models from biochemical and biophysical data is preferred

• Familiarity with Python and scientific data analysis is preferred

Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class")