Native MS, Structural Proteomics & Protein Complexes
Location: Novato, CA (on-site)

Overview
The laboratory of Dr. Kai Zhou at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging seeks a hands-on mass spectrometry scientist or postdoctoral researcher to establish and operate a structural mass spectrometry platform. We welcome candidates with expertise in native mass spectrometry, crosslinking mass spectrometry, HDX-MS, or intact-protein/top-down analysis.

Our laboratory investigates how protein structure, interactions, and assembly change with aging and disease. Projects include intrinsically disordered proteins (IDR/IDPs), protein complexes, and ribosomes.

The successful candidate will take substantial ownership of instrument operation, method development, data quality, and biological interpretation. The role offers opportunities to develop new workflows and pursue scientific questions in collaboration with protein biochemists, structural biologists, and computational researchers.

Responsibilities

• Establish, optimize, and run structural-MS workflows, including low-flow LC for bottom-up proteomics and crosslinking, and a separate LC workflow for intact-protein and native MS analysis.
• Develop native-MS and/or crosslinking-MS methods to characterize protein-complex composition, stoichiometry, interactions, and structural changes. Explore intact-complex analysis and complex-down MS workflows where experimentally feasible.
• Prepare and evaluate samples, including buffer exchange, desalting, crosslinking, digestion, and enrichment as appropriate; optimize native SEC or rapid online buffer exchange while assessing sample integrity and complex stability.
• Optimize ionization, ion transmission, precursor isolation, and fragmentation for heterogeneous proteins and assemblies; assess instrument performance, troubleshoot problems, and coordinate maintenance and training with vendor specialists.
• Establish quality-control standards, reproducible protocols, and reliable workflows for increasing sample throughput, including automated or unattended acquisition, batch QC, carryover checks, and reproducible switching between native and denaturing analyses.
• Analyze and interpret spectra with appropriate controls, uncertainty assessment, and validation; distinguish solution-state interactions from source-induced dissociation or adducts and assess crosslink identifications and proteoform/PTM assignments as appropriate.
• Maintain clear experimental records and organize raw data, analysis files, and protocols.
• Collaborate on experimental design, train colleagues, and contribute to publications and consortium deliverables.