Research Assistant -Pediatric Neurology

The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology is excited to announce an open Research Assistant position in the lab of Alexander Bassuk, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics. This position will provide research support by conducting experiments, collecting, and analyzing results and performing operational duties associated with the laboratory. This is a specified term position. Our laboratory is interested in understanding the basic mechanisms underlying the fundamental neurobiological processes leading to epilepsy. Major goals and objectives of the research includes: to study how alterations in cellular and molecular mechanisms mediate neuroinflammation, cell death and hippocampal/cortical circuit dysfunction in epilepsy; investigate the mechanisms through which the intervention compounds afford neuroprotection and seizure reduction in rodent models of epilepsy; identify therapeutic targets within cellular signaling pathways for attenuating or reversing epileptogenesis. This is a specified term position.
We intend to hire for one position at either the Research Associate, requisition # 24002104, or Research Assistant, requisition #24002106, based on the qualifications of the successful candidate.
Please apply to the position you wish to be considered for or both.
Duties to include:

• Perform a variety of routine tasks related to the recruitment, enrollment and monitoring of research subjects or to the research environment (lab, clinic, field, classroom).
• As individual skills develop perform complex techniques as outlined in research protocols and test and evaluate current procedures. Set up and operate equipment for experiments.
• Perform surgery and neurology experiments on mice.
• As individual skills develop, troubleshoot and analyze protocols; propose modifications to other researchers or principal investigator.
• Perform molecular biology experiments.

About the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics
The Stead Family Department of Pediatrics is a national leader in pediatric medicine. The Department's mission is to provide outstanding care to the children of Iowa and beyond by being a leader in state-of-the-art clinical care to children, performing cutting-edge research to find new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses, and educating the next generation of pediatric health care providers. The Department comprises the medical and research staff of UI Stead Family Children's Hospital. UI Stead Family Children's Hospital is one of the nation's top-ranked pediatric care and research institutions, and Iowa's only comprehensive children's hospital.
About the Division of Neurology
The division of Child Neurology is committed to providing excellent clinical care, educating trainees at all levels, and advancing knowledge through biomedical research. All child neurology faculty members are board certified in neurology with special qualifications in child neurology. Child neurology faculty members work together with Pediatric Neurology nurse practitioners and specialized nursing staff to deliver outstanding care in all aspects of child neurology. Faculty and staff work closely with other clinicians throughout the University of Iowa Health Care system to offer our patients comprehensive care. The division has particular clinical expertise in epilepsy, neurogenetics and neuromuscular disorders. As part of the Iowa Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, the division provides a full range of treatment and evaluation including ketogenic diet, vagal nerve stimulator, and surgical evaluation. The neuromuscular program provides multidisciplinary care to individuals with diseases of the muscles or nerves. Child neurology clinics are held in the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital's Pediatric Specialty Clinic and in outreach clinics across the state of Iowa.
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and related research experience is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in molecular biology research.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills.

Highly Desirable Qualifications

• Prior experience in caring for laboratory animals
• Prior experience in data analysis.
• Prior experience performing mouse surgery.
• Demonstrated experience in data presentation.

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 pedsuichildrenshr@healthcare.uiowa.edu
This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.