Research Assistant 1 - MCRI, Swain Lab

Job Overview 

This position reports to the Principal Investigator, Dr. Lija Swain, and provides assistance in support of research activities under close supervision.  The Swain laboratory studies the “Therapeutic role of HIF-1a and its downstream signaling during acute myocardial infarction injury in translationally relevant large animal model (swine)”. The incumbent will perform general molecular biological methods including primary adult cardiomyocyte isolation, extraction of DNA, RNA, and proteins, RT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, FACS, mitochondria isolation, seahorse assay (assessing mitochondrial function), histological assays including tissue collection/harvesting and staining, and computer-assisted color image analysis.

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. High school diploma or equivalent. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. 0-2 years of research experience. 

2. Bachelor’s degree preferred in biology, biochemistry, physiology or other bioscience program.

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

• • Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance programs, safety, environmental and infection control standards.

  •    Performs a variety of routine laboratory tests and procedures according to prescribed protocols and assigned schedules.

  •    Maintains records of results and methodology.  Log work performed.

  •    Uses an appropriate safety procedure for handling, storage and disposal of biohazardous, infectious, radioactive and toxic substances.  Ensures that all laboratory activities are carried out in compliance with such procedures.

  •    Assists with care and maintenance of department equipment and supplies.

  •    Maintains department records, reports and files as required.

  •    Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.

  •    Attends meetings as required.

  •    Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment
   

Physical Requirements:  

• Normal laboratory environment.  May be exposed to radioactivity, chemicals used in DNA, PCR technology and protein electrophoresis, biohazardous material, and replication deficient adenoviruses, under controlled conditions in accordance with institutional safety standard requirements. 

• May include work in the evening, nights or weekends.

• Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

• May access PHI/HIPAA identifiers as part of daily tasks.

Skills & Abilities: 

• Excellent problem solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure as well as with other members of the research team
• Must possess strong oral and written communication skills, attention to detail and reliability. 
• Highly organized and highly trustworthy and thus able to work with both expensive equipment and highly precious resources (e.g., animals)
• Knowledge of general laboratory techniques including a sound foundation in basic cellular and molecular techniques
• Good manual dexterity
• Understand cross-cultural differences