Sr. Research Specialist

An advanced Sr. Research Specialist is needed to participate in a funded laboratory that uses established mouse models to study the mechanisms contributing to the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and acute and chronic, non-infectious lung injury that occurs following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Implement GVHD experiments using established murine BMT models including bone marrow transplantation, analysis of mice, and key cellular and molecular immunologic components of the study.
• Conduct procedures directly related to the manipulation, transplantation, and examination of animals.
• Coordinate harvesting of bone marrow, the T cell depletion of the bone marrow, purification of T cells from spleens, irradiation and injection of recipient animals
• Responsible for weekly scoring of mice for signs of graft-versus-host disease.
• Participate in post-transplant analysis, including the procurement of organs for fixation and cell suspensions for cell surface staining and intracellular cytokine analysis.
• Procure organs for fixation and cell suspensions for cell surface staining and intracellular cytokine analysis (On average, one transplant per week will be performed.)
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator to oversee scientific management of the research laboratory.
• Manage independent research projects in collaboration with the Principal Investigator
• Identify and select best options for scientific strategies and research development based on literature reviews and collaboration with colleagues.
• Develop and validate assays.
• Evaluate options and make decisions regarding the purchase of new laboratory equipment.
• Contribute to writing of scientific publications and grant applications.
• Act as a resource for laboratory techniques for post-doctoral fellow and students and junior technicians
• Extracts scientific information from literature/lectures/seminars and translates into productive contributions to lab interests.
• Identifies problem areas and proposes and implements plans for solutions.
• Draws upon extensive experience and collaborative resources to make decisions.
• Make decisions regarding research projects that may require assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction; considers resources and lab priorities when making decisions.
• Exercises authority and intervenes to resolve scientific and administrative issues.

• Provides constructive guidance to entry-level and peer lab members in a collegial manner.
• Performs constructive self-assessment and solicits feedback from faculty and/or other lab members as appropriate.
• Requires advanced professional and scientific communication skills.
• Ensures PI is informed of laboratory activities as required, generally with limited reporting opportunities.
• Defines clear expectations for all laboratory members.
• Develops the laboratory team by interacting with, guiding, and mentoring all laboratory members; provides appropriate constructive guidance and mentoring to senior laboratory members.
• Responsible for coordinating the structure within the laboratory to accomplish all activities.
• Establishes standards for job expectations and ensures accountability of all laboratory members.
• Encourages and inspires team goals and achievements.
• Supervises entire laboratory group and/or several projects involving many laboratory members.
• Advises and mentors the team by identifying and developing the potential of each laboratory member; develops training exercises to improve overall competency of individuals and the team in the lab.
• Incorporates scientific innovations regarding protocol development and research goals.
• Proposes ideas for new projects to PI.
• Makes changes in laboratory consistent with increasing productivity and decreasing cost.
• Acts as central resource for administrative policies; translates policy changes into the laboratory workplace.

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
• Four years experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.
• Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Master's in science, Biotechnology or equivalent.

• Prior experience with rodent models
• Tail vein injections
• Molecular and cell biologic techniques (cell culture, ELISA, PCR, western blotting)
• Flow cytometry

 Classified Title: Sr. Research Specialis