Research Associate I - Burda Lab - Center For Neural Science And Medicine

Principal Investigator, Joshua Burda, PhD, is looking for a Research Associate I to join the team!

Cedars-Sinai is committed to pushing the frontiers of medicine and discovering new technologies and innovations that will change how we diagnose and treat disease. As an international leader in biomedical research, we translate discoveries into successful treatments with global impact. With your help, we can change the future of healthcare!

The Burda Lab explores how glia respond to injuries and disorders of the CNS and how these responses impact on neural repair, regeneration and neurological recovery. As a Research Associate I, you will participate in research studies and perform basic lab techniques under the guidance of PhD students and postdoctoral scholars in the lab, as well as the Principal Investigator (P.I.). The RA I will work in cooperation with other lab staff to carry out basic lab maintenance tasks, including washing and sterilizing glassware (e.g. autoclaving). To learn more, please visit

This is an outstanding opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary group of neuroscientists, neurologists, geneticists, and bioinformaticians interested in identifying new therapeutic strategies for stimulating nervous system remodeling, repair, and recovery after injury and in disease. Research Associates in the Burda Lab also benefit from training opportunities arising from ongoing collaborations with neighboring UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and Brain Research Institute Investigators.

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?

Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate I perform a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of one or more laboratory research projects in a specific area of research. Assists in general laboratory activities, including maintenance of reagents and stocking of supplies. Files and monitors documents. The Research Associate I will be able to perform routine cellular, micro- and molecular biology procedures including, but not limited to Western, Northern blot, DNA/RNA, PCR, protein extraction, cell culture, Immunohistochemistry, and staining. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs a variety of routine laboratory tasks and procedures.
• Keeps accurate and detailed project records of experiments and results.
• May assist with animal husbandry.
• Maintains lab equipment and related records.
• Transports, processes, and logs samples.
• Maintains computer database with relevant clinical information.
• Performs lab maintenance duties, including glassware cleaning and sterilization.
• Maintains stocks of general lab materials, and places orders for lab equipment and supplies.
• Assists new students and fellows at the laboratory.
• Assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery.
• Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.

Department-Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide support and training to laboratory personnel for routine and specialized procedures
• Help monitor and ensure compliance with safety standards, policies and standard operating procedures.
• Mouse colony organization and management.
• Assist in experimental work, including: mouse handling, tissue collection, histological procedures, basic microscopy, routine production of common buffers and solutions, routine cell culture maintenance.
• Assist in animal protocol development and amendment.
• Assist in maintenance and organization of lab reagents, supplies and shared samples.
• Ordering lab supplies.
• Maintain and organize lab resources, including protocols, manuals, documentation and calendars.
• Assist in general upkeep of common lab equipment.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in a science-related field is required. Preferred in Biological Science, Engineering, or Mathematics.

Experience and Skills:

• No experience is required. Understanding of general research objectives.
• Practical experience with routine cell, molecular biology, and wet-lab procedures, as well as following and optimizing technical experimental protocols.
• Demonstrated strengths in project management and completion.
• Theoretical knowledge of cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, neurobiology and/or related fields
• Previous experience with lab management and rodent research is preferred but not required.
• Exceptional organizational skills and learns new tasks quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, organize, and maintain accurate research data and lab records relating to research (e.g. reagent and sample storage location).
• Strong work ethic, excellent oral and written communication skills, and demonstrated ability to function as part of an interdisciplinary research team are essential.
• Strong computer skills, with comprehensive experience in using MS word, Excel and Email.
• Experience with data analysis and graphing software is not required, but preferred.