Post-doctoral Researcher: Understanding Enzymatic Transformation of small molecules using mass spectrometry and machine learning

Mohimanilab at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA invites application for a position at the level of Post-doctoral Researcher.

Enzymes chemically transform small molecules. Understanding these transformations can help us figure out why some small molecule drugs are active in some patients, but inactive in others. Additionally, these reactions explain why people digest dietary molecules from food differently. Finally, knowledge of how enzymes change molecules can help us to optimize drug leads for the highest activity and least toxicity. 

Recent methodological advances in machine learning have enabled predicting which enzymes react on small molecules and identifying the product of these reactions. However, currently, these methods have poor performance outside their training data. The major obstacle is that training data on the reaction of enzymes on small molecules is limited and non-homogenous. The goal of this project is to collect data on the reaction of hundreds of enzymes on thousands of small molecules using high-throughput mass spectrometry. The next step will be development of machine learning models based in this dataset to predict how enzymes modify small molecules. Novel products predicted by machine learning will be isolated using HPLC-based purification.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

1. Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry.

2. Ability to work independently and strong interpersonal skills.

3. Experience with preparative HPLC and purification of small molecules is required 

4. Experience with enzyme assays is required.

5. Experience with high throughput screening is highly desirable.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy.