Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working under general supervision, plan and carry out research project in accordance with general plans. The Research Assistant 2 will support and carry out laboratory-based research activities in accordance with established plans. This position plays a critical role in maintaining day-to-day operations of the lab and directly contributes to the lab's mission of understanding and overcoming therapeutic resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This position supports the laboratory's broader mission of identifying molecular pathways that drive therapy resistance in AML, with a long-term goal of developing more effective and targeted treatments. This position will work with animals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Plan and carry out project in accordance with general plans. Design and perform in vitro and in vivo experiments for multiple research projects, including primary cell isolation from bone marrow/ spleen, flow cytometry analysis, bone marrow transplantation, and monitoring of bone marrow, spleen, or peripheral blood cells in control and experimental mice. (30%)
Conduct a series of experiments to supply scientific information as part of a larger project. Conduct a variety of laboratory assays, including in vitro cell culture (sub-culturing cancer cell lines and primary bone marrow or spleen cells), assessment of cell proliferation, growth rate analysis, cytotoxicity assays, Western blotting, PCR, flow cytometry, clonogenic survival assays, DNA/ RNA extraction, immunoblotting, plasmid cloning and purification. Maintain laboratory reagents such as buffers and media and perform other compatible assays. (30%)
May assist in developing improved techniques, projection methods or procedures. Support development and optimization of laboratory protocols, including selection and authentication of cell lines and evaluation of metabolic characteristics of leukemia stem cells. (10%)
Collect and analyze data. Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data; prepare graphs, charts, and presentation slides. Maintain databases for biospecimen tracking and mouse colony records. (10%)
Oversee inventory. Manage daily laboratory operations, including maintaining equipment, preparing solutions, setting up reactions, and overseeing inventory of reagents and supplies. (10%)
Train new staff; direct the work of students. Provide training and guidance to students as needed. (6%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned. (4%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with supervisor to discuss research and maintain workflow.
University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information.
External: Limited or no contact with vendors to exchange information.
Students: Frequent contact with student employees to exchange information
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This position has no direct supervision of staff employees. Train new staff; direct the work of students.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and 1 to 3 years of related experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 2 to 4 years of experience required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within hematopathology. Strong molecular biology skills (PCR, Western blots, Retroviral/Lentiviral constructs).
Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
Ability to operate laboratory equipment, and perform mouse genotyping, bleeding, numerating different lineage cells, and monitoring diseased mice.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
Must demonstrate compassion for animals within university facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center¿s mission. Must always handle animals with care and respect.
Must demonstrate compliance with CWRU animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
Must be able and willing to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer gear to protect the health of the animals.
Previous experience working with animals preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The physical work environment is a general laboratory environment. The lab is an open floor plan with abundant bench space for animal handling and manipulations. Ample desk space with computers is also provided. The lab is equipped with one shared fume hood for storage of hazardous and non-hazardous materials. The cell culture room nearby is equipped with incubators, culture hood, and microscope. Access to a multi-color Flow Cytometer and a Seahorse Analyzer belonging to the core facility. Major physical demands include transferring animals between the lab and the animal holding facility, maintaining the animal colonies. The employee will periodically work in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) facilities. This job may include handling of primary biological specimens that may be infected with human pathogens and may include using lentivirus or retrovirus to infect human or mouse bone marrow cells. The position will require handling of infectious materials, general laboratory chemicals (some of which are hazardous), blood-borne pathogens, repetitive motion (pipetting), and occasional DOT shipping or receiving of biological or infectious material. Personal protective equipment required for the job includes laboratory coat, eye protection, and gloves. Work hours will depend on the type of experiments and may involve early start, late finish, and working on weekends and holidays as required for specific experiments.
Case Western Reserve University's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals¿ appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service ¿Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to medical school Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and 1 to 3 years of related experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 2 to 4 years of experience required.
