Research Assistant 2 (Job 9575)
Case Western Reserve University

Job Info

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POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under general supervision, plan and carry out research project in accordance with general plans. The research assistant 2 will perform research work in immunology of vaccine responses to support research studies in the division of Infectious Diseases. The focus of the research study is to explore how individuals respond to vaccines including the COVID-19, influenza and shingles vaccines. The study will work with human samples.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Plan and carry out project in accordance with general plans. Specifically perform research work including but not limited to processing of human blood samples, storing the cells and serum under frozen conditions, and entering the information into the database of these activities. (50%)
2. Conduct a series of experiments to supply scientific information as part of a larger project. Conduct a series of experiments to supply scientific information as part of a larger project. Studies include but are not limited to culture cells, flow cytometry, and COVID-19, shingles and influenza vaccine assays. (10%)
3. May assist in developing improved techniques, projection methods or procedures. They can assist in developing and optimizing the flow cytometry and cell assays. (10%)
4. Collect and analyze data. Maintain clear and organized notebooks documenting procedures used and data generated. Organize the data and present to PI and lab. (10%)
5. Oversee inventory. Assist in development of optimal sample organization scheme and then to maintain the database. This will involve shipping samples to collaborators. In addition, they will order reagents and other laboratory supplies and maintain chemical/biological inventory in compliance with EHS. (5%)
6. Maintain certain equipment facilities. They will manage certain equipment facilities including liquid nitrogen tanks, cleaning of tissue culture incubators, freezers, refrigerators, water baths, microscopes and lab ware. Dispose of biohazardous waste. (5%)
7. Train new staff; direct the work of undergraduate and graduate students. New students of staff may be hired and they would assist in training the more junior members.(5%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisor and laboratory personnel to discuss research and maintain workflow.

University: Daily contact with Animal Resource Center, other lab personnel and university employees to share information.

External: Limited contact with laboratory supply vendors to exchange information.

Students: Daily contact with graduate and undergraduate students working in the laboratory to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees. Instruct new laboratory personnel and graduate students on appropriate laboratory practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and 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 SKILLS

1. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within immunology, cell biology and molecular biology.
2. Experience in human immunology is preferred.
3. The candidate has to be willing and able to work with human specimens from subjects that have not been prescreened for any chronic diseases such as hepatitis, HIV or COVID. Training and verification will be provided before working with human specimens and procedures and work will be carefully monitored.
4. Ability to rely on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
5. Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals
6. 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
7. Ability to organize, maintain and prepare accurate records.
8. Effective problem-solving skills; sound judgment and good decision-making.
9. Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team (must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter).
10. Ability to operate laboratory equipment.
11. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
12. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face
13. Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline.
14. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
15. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel and GraphPad Prism is preferred. Experience using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and FlowJo is a plus.
16. Must have the ability to maintain meticulous, complete, and easily retrievable laboratory data.
17. Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
18. There may also be need to work at Cleveland VA and obtain access to work in that building for some of the immunology experiments as our flow cytometry is in that building..

WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory environment: The lab is an open floor plan with abundant bench and hood space for studies. Ample desk space with computers are also provided. The lab is equipped with a fume hoods for storage of hazardous and non-hazardous materials as well as several freezers. The cell culture rooms are equipped with 3 incubators, 4 culture hoods, and microscope. Access to a multi-color Flow Cytometer, ELISA reader and real time PCR machine in a neighboring labs. The candidate should expect frequent interactions with lab members from that lab and must be willing to collaborate. Major physical demands include being able to process blood in the hood. The individual will be exposed and use to routine laboratory chemicals and solvents, and paraformaldehyde for tissue processing. They will be working with human samples blood and respiratory in the hood. Some work may be in BSL2+ conditions.

This job has expired.