Lab Operations Manager

This role will manage and support the Helix team, planning & tracking all projects to  produce high-quality work and support our client’s protein production, biophysical  characterization, and structural biology projects. A proven track record in managing people and  projects with a deep understanding of protein construct design, expression, and purification of  challenging proteins, biophysical characterization, and structural biology techniques is essential.

Highly desirable scientific knowledge and hands-on experiences include:

1. Disparate protein classes (Soluble, Insoluble, Membrane Proteins, Antibodies, etc.)  and protein production (mammalian and prokaryotic).
2. Biochemical, biophysical, and structural characterization of over-expressed and  purified proteins.
3. Crystallizing protein and nucleic acids.
4. Cryo-EM grid preparation, data collection, and processing.
5. Structure building and refinement program usage to phase difficult data sets.

In addition to expertise in protein biochemistry and structural biology, this role will provide a range of experimental strategies (biochemical, biophysical, and/or computational) to support  our client’s needs. Accordingly, proficiency in protein production and structural biology is  essential. The successful candidate will have a deep scientific understanding and can plan and  lead the team and multiple projects in parallel. Overall, you will be an outstanding project and  people leader who will significantly impact our gene-to-structure service portfolios with the unique  opportunity to help drive our business.

• Create and manage necessary documents and communicate research priorities, progress, and results to clients/project teams and upper management.
• Provide the team with project details and priorities, technical and scientific guidance,  deliverables, and timelines.
• The candidate will be responsible for managing the team and all projects and providing  support, including necessary bench work for project success.
• The candidate will manage his/her direct reports and provide support needed. - The candidate will be responsible for timely updates on project statuses and reporting to  the management team and Helix’s customers.

• Ph.D. in biochemistry, biophysics, protein engineering, and/or structural biology with  experience managing people and multiple challenging projects. Productive postdoctoral  training and/or industry experience are expected.
• Industry experience: 3-7 years post-Ph.D. (not including time as an academic postdoc). - Demonstrated experience and knowledge in people and project management.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in protein expression and purification strategies using bacterial, insect, and/or mammalian cell lines and structural biology, including X-ray  Crystallography and Cryo-EM.
• Demonstrated knowledge of construct design for structural/biophysical studies. - Strong leadership, written and oral communication skills, and attention to detail.

• Experience in engineering protein constructs and optimizing the production of protein  targets for structural and functional studies.
• Experience in biophysical characterization tools and strategies.
• Lead and provide technical and scientific guidance to the team and manage all projects  to produce high-quality results and meet the timelines.
• Experience with protein engineering and/or design approaches.
• Analysis, design, and/or computational approaches to investigate ligand-protein  complexes.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and management skills. - Fearless attitude to tackle longstanding complex problems.

This position is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and does NOT offer a hybrid option. Interaction with external service vendors is also expected.

• Able to lift 30 lb objects.
• Able to visualize microscopic objects under microscopes.

Able to adhere to safe work practices and perform lab work with appropriate personal  protective equipment such as but not limited to safety goggles, facial mask, gloves, lab coat/  protective gowning, and closed-toe shoes. Able to work at flexible hours occasionally when  performing time-sensitive experiments.

• Eligible for Relocation Package  
• Competitive Salary + Bonus
• Retirement (matching 401K)
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Company Apple computer

Helix BioStructures, LLC is an equal-opportunity employer, and we embrace the  increasingly diverse world around us. Helix BioStructures, LLC prohibits unlawful discrimination  based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national  origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, and veteran status.