Research Assistant 3

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 to 5 years of related experience required. Strong expertise in tissue culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology, transfections and animal work. Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary.
Education: Bachelor of Science degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Expertise in tissue culture, flow cytometry, ELISA, PCR, immunoblot, breeding of mice and collection of mouse organs.
• Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
• Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals.
• Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management, and follow-through as well as a good habit of maintaining a clean lab working environment.
• Ability to organize, maintain and prepare accurate records.
• Effective problem-solving skills; sound judgment and good decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team (must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter).
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
• Previous experience working with animals preferred.
• Must demonstrate compliance with university animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance with regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Must demonstrate compassion for animals within university facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
• Must be able and willing to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer gear to protect the health of the animals.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel and GraphPad Prism is preferred. Experience using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and FlowJo is a plus.
• Must have the ability to maintain meticulous, complete, and easily retrievable laboratory data.
• Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinate laboratory/research activities in accordance with general plans. Work with a team on coordination of in vitro and in vivo experiments to examine the role of CD40 in the regulation of inflammatory responses, as well as the regulation of molecular mechanisms involved in control of Toxoplasma gondii. (10%)
• Work closely with the principal investigator, meet daily to discuss planning of experiments, recent results, developments that may require a change in the experimental plan and monitoring of laboratory budget. (6%)
• Carry out complex research assignments of a non-routine nature. Studies include but are not limited to cell culture, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, DNA and RNA isolation, PCR, transfections and immunoblots. Studies in animals include breeding of mice, intraperitoneal injections and organ collection. (40%)
• Collect and analyze data generated by real time PCR, flow cytometry and luciferase assays. This includes statistical analysis and generation of graphs that summarize the experimental results; and may result in co-authorship in research projects. (15%)
• Maintain laboratory records by keeping clear and organized notebooks, documenting procedures used and data generated. Maintain safety manuals, and protocols. (6%)
• Devise new protocols and techniques for research projects involving a high degree of skill and training, such as protocols for isolation of primary mouse cells and detection of intracellular proteins by flow cytometry. Evaluate adequacy of existing laboratory techniques; study and test new procedures, and analyze data. (6%)
• Work with other members of the team to maintain certain equipment (liquid nitrogen tanks, cleaning of tissue culture incubators, freezers, refrigerators, water baths, microscopes and lab ware) and oversee inventory (ordering and procuring reagents, laboratory supplies and mice). Maintain chemical/biological inventory in compliance with Environmental Health and Safety. (6%)
• Train new staff. Supervise the work of undergraduate and graduate students and technicians. (7% )