Research Lab Technician II

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, staff, and students that make the university a great place to work.  

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a Research Lab Technician II in the Bridge Institute, Gati Lab’s interdisciplinary research program focused on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) biology and pharmacology. The largest and oldest of the USC schools, USC Dornsife functions as the academic core of the university, offering courses and advancing knowledge across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

Our research aims to elucidate the structural and mechanistic principles governing GPCR signaling and to translate these insights toward novel therapeutic strategies. We integrate cutting-edge cryo-EM with cell-based pharmacological assays and computational modeling to study GPCRs activated by diverse ligands, including neurotransmitters, peptides, and immune modulators.

Recent work from our lab includes a variety of cutting-edge studies on GPCR structural pharmacology, including:

• the first structures of Class C intermediate states - GABA-B (Shaye et al. 2020, Nature, PMID: 32555460),
• the first structure of an inactive GPCR-BRIL fusion - Fzd5 (Tsutsumi et al. 2020, eLife, PMID: 32762848),
• the first structures of inverse agonist-bound GPCR-G protein complexes - KOR (Tyson et al. 2025, Nature Chemical Biology, PMID: 39775170),
• the first structures of GDP-bound intermediate states of GPCR-G protein complexes, elucidating the activation mechanism and pharmacology of MOR (Khan et al. 2025, Nature, PMID: 41193810).

A more comprehensive list of publications can be found on our website: www.gati-lab.com

The lab is expanding its efforts toward single molecule biophysics and structure-guided drug discovery, leveraging collaborations in computational biology, chemical biology and protein engineering.

If you are passionate about GPCR biology, structural biology, pharmacology, and modern drug discovery, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Recombinant expression of human proteins in insect cell and mammalian cell cultures.
• Perform pharmacological assays using FRET- and BRET-based sensors.
• Independent planning and fulfillment of protein purification
• Conduct basic molecular biology techniques that may include DNA isolation, and cloning.
• Sample preparation and data analysis for single particle cryoEM.
• Prepare commonly used lab reagents and chemical solutions.
• Maintain general lab organization and ordering as well as compliance with university environmental health and safety standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Preferred Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲: Recombinant protein expression in Sf9 and mammalian expression system. Purification of membrane proteins.
• 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐨-𝐄𝐌: Single-particle cryo-EM analysis of membrane proteins, including GPCR complexes.
• 𝐆𝐏𝐂𝐑 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: Cell-based signaling assays (e.g., BRET-based assays), receptor trafficking studies, or advanced imaging approaches.
• 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, structure-based drug design, or protein/antibody engineering.
• BSc in a relevant discipline (e.g., structural biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, computational biology, or related fields) and demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills.

Hourly range: The hourly rate range for this position is $25.71 – $27.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Fixed-term, grant funded position.
• Shift: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Minimum Education: Associate's degree, Specialized/technical training, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Working knowledge of laboratory equipment and research protocols. Knowledge of computer analysis techniques and ability to provide routine analysis and interpretation of research data.

Salary : $26 - $27