Research Assistant (NIH SuRE) - Grant Funded

The Research Assistant reports directly to the Primary Investigator (PI) for a federally funded grant - Support for Research Excellence - First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award, NIH R16 (R16GM150406). This position will assist the PI and undergraduate research students with execution and completion of the research proposed (Aims 1, and 2).

This position will carry out essential research support functions in the laboratory, will serve as liaison for PI and undergraduate research students and will be responsible for managing research projects including direct lab support (lab maintenance, purchasing, etc.), management of students and data, and maintenance and collection of data.

The position is a full-time position. This position is funded in whole or in part, by an external grant and is subject to immediate termination if the grant funding ceases. No employee who is in such a position may file a grievance over the termination of the position. While it is possible that grant funding may be renewed, the current funding for this position ends on August 31st 2027.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works in basic science research laboratory, operates lab equipment, performs experimental procedures, collects and summarizes research data.
• Assists with or conducts a variety of scientific experiments and research projects of limited complexity, collecting, evaluating and interpreting data for clinical and diagnostic research.
• Assists with research studies, experiments and assays including collection of data, preparation of solutions and set-up and maintenance of equipment.
• Performs database queries of historical data and organization of data into spreadsheet for use in research studies
• Assist students with research projects by providing training, assisting with planning, data acquisition or interpretation;
• Assists with paperwork related to research and undergraduate research students.
• Maintains supplies and reagents, preparing purchase orders and ordering, tracking purchases and budget, coordinating equipment repair.
• Managing students, coordinating research efforts to use time, space and resources effectively, and tracking student progress.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of lab experience with the methodologies above.
• Experience using the elegans research model is preferred.
• Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance.
• Must have valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance, and personal injury insurance, or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business on a daily basis.
• Must have the ability to demonstrate intermediate to high skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Teams, and Zoom or similar platforms).
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, and weekends.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong public relations and customer service skills with an ability to implement diplomacy and discretion at all times; ability to work effectively with high school students, parents, school counselors, teachers, faculty and staff.
• Must have high ethical standards and a strong sense of confidentiality; ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines; thrive in a complex work environment; display solid problem solving and interpersonal skills; work well independently and as part of a team; professional demeanor, appearance and strong work ethic required.
• Must have a high attention to detail and be able to organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without loss of efficiency in a multi-tasked environment, and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Working conditions are in an office environment and university campus setting. Must be able to move across the university campus to conduct day to day business.
• While performing this role, the employee will be regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear, both in person and by telephone; and use hands repetitively to operate standard office equipment; and occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently communicates with others using approved technological resources; must be able to exchange accurate information through designated systems within a timely manner.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery.