Senior Research Associate

Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, coordinate major activities in medical and related technical areas. the Senior Research Associate will design and execute research projects in the above areas with a particular focus on understanding how genetic variation and environmental exposure (gut-brain-axis) predispose to neurodegenerative disorders including Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This will require familiarity with a range of advanced molecular, cell biologic, animal modelling and imaging techniques. The Senior Research Associate will also supervise staff and students, manage collaborations with outside investigators, and will keep the PI informed of progress of research projects and provide recommendations on experimental design and project plans. The Senior Research Associate will present data and findings at lab and scientific meetings, seminars, and contribute preliminary data and design for grant proposals as well as scientific publications. They will ensure strict adherence to all safety guidelines while dealing with hazardous substances, animal subject- and human subject-derived materials in the lab and will have the physical stamina and endurance to perform all associated tasks. This position will work with animals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1.        Provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects. Coordinate and carry out complex research assignments. Perform tissue culture, common molecular biology techniques and in vivo studies using mice. Coordinate and perform 1) isolation and processing of cells derived from mouse nervous tissue and immune tissues for histology, immunofluorescence, imaging and flow cytometry, 2) ex vivo culture of bone marrow derived macrophages and T cells for stimulations and quantitative analysis of protein, RNA, cellular composition and morphology and 3) Isolation of human blood and cerebrospinal fluid cells and biofluids for banking and molecular biology analysis. Evaluate adequacy of techniques and study and test new procedures. (35%).

2.       Coordinate major activities of laboratory/ research. Establish goals and objectives for the efficient and timely completion of projects. Collect and record data in laboratory computers for statistical analyses. Contribute to the generation of data figures for grant submissions and publication of manuscripts, as well as present data at group meetings. Meet regularly with the PI to review and set priorities, staff/student-related issues and future research staff and planning (15%).

3.       Work closely with the principal investigator in helping to generate annual reports for granting agencies. Design and manage individual experiments, reporting these in a consistent fashion and in a timely manner, managing issues of the scientific method including positive and negative controls, reproducibility, sample size estimates, and refining techniques into standard operating procedures in the laboratory (10%)

4.      Independently devise and utilize new protocols and techniques for research projects involving a high degree of skill and training. These include developing and optimizing techniques to disrupt or enhance gene function in myeloid cells including mouse bone marrow derived macrophages and human iPS cell derived microglia using CRISPR/Cas9 or related anti-sense oligonucleotide technologies and visualizing changes in protein abundance and localization using real time imaging and analysis. (6%).

5.       Independently author manuscripts, grant writing, research projects and provide data to the principle investigator for sponsor progress reports, manuscripts, grant and pilot applications with the highest level of integrity and responsible conduct of research. (6%)

6.      Perform general laboratory support tasks. Order and stock communal reagents and supplies, organize lab spaces and receive deliveries. Install, maintain, and repair complex equipment (6%)

7.       Supervise research assistants and technicians. Supervise the research and technical work preformed by other lab members, ensuring proper lab procedures are followed, and their safety, and ensuring adequate resources are provided for lab work. (6%)

8.      Mentor and train lab staff and graduate students; oversee research work and ensure pro jects are being completed according to the research plan. This will involve teaching other members