On-Call, Jr. Research Assistant

Position Title:

On-Call, Jr. Research Assistant

Position Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range:

$25.05, per hour

Pay Frequency:

Hourly

A. POSITION PURPOSE

To assist in the data acquisition and data analysis of experimental laboratory research under the direction of Professor Amelia Fuller, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 

1.Under the Supervisor’s Close Guidance, Assist in the Synthesis and Study of New Organic Molecules

• Synthesize various organic molecules using solution and solid-phase synthesis methods, including calculating reagent amounts and monitoring reaction progress.

• Purify synthetic molecules using advanced instrumentation, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

• Identify and characterize synthetic products using advanced instrumentation including mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR), and other optical spectroscopy techniques.

• Execute routine troubleshooting of commonly used instrumentation in the laboratory by interfacing with laboratory management staff and/or service representatives.

2.Under the Supervisor’s Close Guidance, Spectroscopic data analysis

• Analyze and process spectroscopic data to generate plots and figures.

• Use and modify coding scripts to process large data sets (R programming language).

3.Writing Support

• Conduct searches of the scientific literature at the request of the supervisor and summarize findings, including posting articles to online repositories.

• Prepare bibliographies for and proofread grant proposals and research articles produced by the supervisor.

4.Chemical and Consumables Ordering

• Keep a working inventory of routinely used chemicals and consumables, and place orders with vendors to replenish these as needed.

5.Maintenance of Laboratory Safety

• Execute and report regular online laboratory safety inspections via the university portal.

• Remedy minor safety code infractions within the laboratory.

• Write standard operating procedure protocol documents to train new students to execute routine laboratory procedures safely and reproducibly.

5. Other duties as assigned.

 

C.   PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

Ensures that undergraduate student researchers maintain a safe laboratory environment and adhere to standard laboratory procedures.

D.   GENERAL GUIDELINES

Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices. Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools. Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.  Prepares progress reports, informs supervisor of project status and deviation from goals. Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions. Prepares and submits written or oral reports as requested and required. Develops and implements standard operating procedures to support the functions of the laboratory.

E.   QUALIFICATIONS
 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

1.Knowledge

• Basic understanding of the following: working safely in a chemical laboratory,  principles of chemical reactivity, stoichiometry, organic synthesis, spectroscopic, analysis of organic molecules

2.Skills

• Safe handling of hazardous chemicals.

• Synthesis of organic molecules.

• Monitoring organic reaction progress.

• Purification of organic molecules.

• Spectroscopic data acquisition and analysis.

• Basic familiarity with coding: writing and editing scripts for data processing.

• Use of routine laboratory equipment, including balances and micropipettes.

• Searching and critical reading of the scientific literature.

• Basic scientific writing.

3.Abilities

• Understand and follow laboratory safety regulations.

• Work independently.

• Work cooperatively as part of a research team, including regular progress reports to supervisor and other members