Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, the Research Assistant 4 will coordinate major activities in dissecting the tumor intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of treatment resistance and identify therapeutic targets for drug development for sarcoma and many other cancers. The Research Assistant 4 will also get involved in research collaboration activities with external researchers from other institutions. The objectives of the research projects in this laboratory are to utilize advanced multidisciplinary technologies (flow cytometry, CRSIPR screening, scRNA-seq, and 3D human in vitro models) to comprehensively map the tumor stroma/immune microenvironment and identify novel therapeutic targets for personalized treatment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Coordinate major lab/research activities and staff (7%)
Ensure compliance with protocol guidelines and requirements of regulatory agencies; Prepare IRB updates.
Provide input and recommendations to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects (15%)
Design multi-color flow cytometry panels. Advise the principal investigator on panel optimization, gating strategy adjustments, or additional controls needed based on observed technical or biological variation. Recommend follow-up experiments to validate hypotheses generated from cytometry data, including functional assays or integration with transcriptomic datasets
Perform the most complex quantitative analytical procedures. (25%)
Coordinate and execute advanced multi-color flow cytometry experiments involving human and murine samples. Independently design, optimize, and implement complex flow panels (8+ colors) for immunophenotyping, rare cell population detection, and functional assays (e.g., proliferation, apoptosis, intracellular cytokines). Perform sample preparation from different tissues, including tumor, blood, and bone marrow, and troubleshoot staining protocols involving challenging epitopes or fluorophore spillover. Analyze and interpret high-dimensional data using advanced software (e.g., FlowJo, SpectroFlo, or Cytobank), incorporating compensation matrices, gating strategies, and clustering algorithms. Maintain and calibrate flow cytometers (e.g., BD LSRFortessa, Cytek Aurora), ensuring data quality and reproducibility. Apply innovative strategies to develop custom assays for dynamic cell state tracking and cell-cell interaction profiling.
Assist in developing procedures; coordinate information with others as needed. (25%)
Develop and optimize standard operating procedures for multi-color flow cytometry, including tissue processing protocols, antibody staining panels, viability and barcoding strategies, and instrument setup. Collaborate with team members to standardize sample preparation workflows across human and murine specimens to ensure reproducibility and minimize technical variability. Coordinate with core facility staff to implement best practices for cytometer calibration, compensation controls, and spectral panel design. Teach or instruct others in research techniques. (10%)
Assist in drafting experimental protocols, data acquisition templates for new postdocs and students
Co-author research projects. (10%)
Participate in experimental design, data interpretation, and figure generation for flow cytometry-based studies. Contribute to the writing of manuscripts, progress reports, and grant applications by providing expert input on cytometry methods, analysis pipelines, and biological interpretation. Co-author peer-reviewed publications arising from collaborative projects, and assist in preparing supplementary materials, methods sections, and data visualizations.
May supervise Research Assistants and Technicians (6%)
Train junior lab members, including Research Assistants and Technicians, in multi-color flow cytometry techniques, including sample preparation, staining, cytometer operation, and data analysis. Provide ongoing oversight and troubleshooting support to ensure technical consistency and data quality.
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Order laboratory supplies (test tubs, pipettes, etc.). (1%)
Perform other duties as assigned such as shared duties to prepare buffers, autoclave tissue culture wares, maintain small equipment, like microcentrifuges, water bath, Co2 incubator, etc. (1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with the principal investigator or other senior personnel 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: Daily contact, guide students in the lab to do research.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
May supervise students and research assistants.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 to 8 years of related experience required.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in science.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the area of cell biology and molecular biology,
Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform cell/molecular experiments in the lab
Ability to operate laboratory equipment, such as microcentrifuge, bench top centrifuge, CO2 incubator, freezers, bacteria culture incubator, balance, water bath, sonicator, etc.
Ability to meet consistent attendance and flexibility to adjust schedule.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
Has strong expertise in multi-color flow cytometry
Good communication and organization skills.
Ability to manage time efficiently.
Basic computer skills (graphics, presentations, data, and statistical analysis).
WORKING CONDITIONS
The employee will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens, chemicals, and UV. Employee will need to wear appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, lab coat, and eyewear. The lab has sufficient protective gear to protect the employee. Working conditions will require working at the bench in a molecular genetics/ biology laboratory, and when needed working outside standard working days or hours as required by the needs of a given experiment.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 to 8 years of related experience required.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in science.
