Core Facility Research Assist

The UI Carver College of Medicine Viral Vector Core is seeking a Core Facility Research Assistant to provide specialized services and consultation to researchers/investigators in a core research facility to facilitate highly technical and specialized scientific research. Core facilities provide cost-effective, on-site equipment and materials. 

Percent Time:  100%

Duties to include:

Specialized Services/ Application of Research Protocols:

• Design viral vector sequences in collaboration with investigators and senior staff. Coordinate cloning and quality control of plasmids.
• Perform quality control assays such as ddPCR, silver stains, flow cytometry, and restriction digests as directed by viral vector teams. Assist with project management including sequence and digest analysis, communication, pricing, and preparing vectors for shipment.
• Assist with cell culture and vector production.
• Assist with customer communication and order processing.
• Assist with order shipping and billing.
• Perform the standard operating procedures required to execute the services provided by a core research facility. 
• Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by Core Directors or other core staff.
• Work with other Core Facility staff or facility director in using the Core Facility's specialized equipment or services.
• Assist with collecting and disseminating data by operating the facility's instrumentation, equipment, performing specialized services for researchers and assist with performing complex procedures and techniques.
• Operate facility instrumentation or equipment, evaluate data quality, and document results. 
• As individual skills develop, may propose modifications to protocols and/or assist in the design of experiment protocols based on specialized knowledge and expertise.

Literature Review/ Data Analysis:

• Read and review articles as directed by senior staff or the director for the purposes of improving the quality of the service.
• Assist in performing data analysis for researchers using specialized data analysis software in a form useful for further statistical analysis or publication. 
• May assist in interpreting experimental data.

Educate, Train and Consult:

• Assist in providing education, training, and consultation to Core Facility users on highly specialized equipment or technology.
• May assist in providing advice and guidance in either self-service or full-service Core Facility.

Facilities, Equipment and Information Management:

• Assist in the preparation, calibration and maintenance of core lab and specialized Core Facility equipment.

Administrative and Financial Responsibility for Fee for Service Operation:

• Maintain clear and accurate documentation of the protocols, instrumentation logs, and/or data collected by the core.
• Initiate purchases of supplies and inventory for facility.
• May assist with the administrative duties necessary for a fee-for-service facility operation such as collecting and/or entering facility billing data.
• Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.

Human Resources/ Supervision:

• May train, provide direction, assignments, feedback of employees to assure outcomes are achieved.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or other biological science, or an appropriate combination of education and years of experience working in an academic research environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. 
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to multitask many projects is required. 
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques such as cloning and restriction digests and experience designing and manipulating sequences required. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with ddPCR, gene amplification PCR, and agarose gels is desirable.
• Familiarity with PC computers and programs such as SnapGene, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint is desirable.  
• Experience with cell culture and aseptic conditions desired. 
• Familiarity with website development and maintenance desired.

Position and Application details:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact stacy-pruter@uiowa.edu