Job Title: Research Assistant 3
Location: Case Main Campus
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 9022
Job Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under limited supervision, the Research Assistant 3 will coordinate research projects focused on studying Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. This position’s primary roles will be to maintain specialized knockout and transgenic mice strains uniquely developed in the lab for studies in basic immunology, focused on inflammatory bowel diseases. The primary duties will also include conducting experimental research under the general guidance of the principal investigator, serving as the manager and coordinator of the laboratory. And to instruct new members of the research group within the laboratory’s primary on techniques and protocols. This position will work extensively with animals, specifically mice.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Coordinate laboratory/research activities. Coordinate the setup of in vivo or in vitro experiments which will include mouse surgery or euthanasia to collect tissue samples for analysis. Manage samples and experiments, including sample collection and processing, record keeping, and analyzing data associated with samples, the experiment, and research project. Serve as laboratory manager and coordinator: responsible for ordering supplies and animals, monitoring their arrival. Maintain and schedule certification and servicing of laboratory equipment. Manage the overall organization and maintenance of the laboratory equipment and general space. Maintain general lab supplies/reagent inventories and freezer/sample inventories (i.e., genetic mouse lines in the Animal Resource Center, antibodies/reagent and sample contents of –20/80° freezers), respond to alerts or requests from the animal resource center, and coordinate proper biohazard waste or equipment disposal. (30%) Maintain, organize, and perform husbandry of animal colonies. This includes but is not limited to; providing care for animals, inspecting animals/ colonies regularly, maintaining identification and records of all animals, and keeping datasheets up-to-date and circulated appropriately. (20%)Work closely with the principal investigator to carry out complex research projects to elucidate the immune role in inflammatory bowel diseases, and to study and characterize different pathological aspects of the disease. This includes daily discussions regarding current research projects to maintain the workflow of lab, analyze data or results or to review and edit manuscripts for publication. (20%) Evaluate adequacy of techniques utilizing in the lab; review and test new procedures techniques via troubleshooting experiments, and proper validation of methods of new procedures. This position will be responsible for analyzing data and presenting research results at laboratory or scientific meetings for experiments using data analysis software such as GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, and Excel. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Manage and update protocols for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Institutional Biosafety Committees, and the Environmental Health and Safety office. (5%)Supervise students and technicians. Ensure all new lab students or employees are properly trained in compliance with the environmental and health safety office. (5%)Monitor the laboratory budget. This position will monitor overall monthly laboratory expenses in terms of supplies, use of university core services and any additional expenses that comprise laboratory budget as a whole and then each separate speedtype account’s monthly budget. (2%)Maintain certification and scheduling of servicing of laboratory equipment or schedule repair services. Manage the overall organization and maintenance of the laboratory equipment or reagents and general lab space. (2%)Maintain detailed and organized records of experiments, protocols and procedures, and laboratory equipment utilized in experiments and the collected data. (2%)Interact with the pathology department office staff or university office staff for issues regarding laboratory safety protocols, budget reports, purchase orders and general lab organization. (2%)Perform other assigned duties. (2%)

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with colleagues in the laboratory, which includes the principal investigator, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, and other research technicians to discuss research and maintain workflow of research projects. Moderate contact with other pathology laboratories in the department who are engaged in related research or use shared equipment, exchange information or reagents, or work in collaboration for research projects. Infrequent contact with Department office staff to exchange information and facilitate workflow.

University: Occasional contact with other departments to share equipment, exchange information or reagents or work in collaboration for research projects. Infrequent contact with University office staff to exchange information and facilitate workflow. Regular contact with key service sectors including but not limited to the animal resource center, environmental health and safety, and procurement office.

External: Continuous contact with vendors and sales representatives from a variety of companies to order supplies obtain quotes, pricing, and information. Occasional contact with individuals in laboratories outside of the university to consult on laboratory techniques and to arrange for the shipment of special animals or reagents.

Students: Continuous contact with students in the laboratory including graduate students, medical students, undergraduates, and occasionally high school students to exchange information, train on techniques or protocols, and maintain project workflow.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May supervise students and technicians when required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 to 5 years of related experience required. Extensive animal (mouse) handling experience required, must be proficient with techniques including but not limited to: Intraperitoneal injection, Gavage, Cardiac Puncture for blood drawing, Cervical Dislocation.

Education/Licensing: Bachelor of Science degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Knowledge and understanding of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures in the fields of pathology and/or immunology and related scientific fields, such as molecular and cellular biology. Must be proficient with techniques for in vivo experimental treatments that include but not limited to: the use of either intraperitoneal injection or gavage, cardiac puncture for blood drawing, and cervical dislocation. Extensive experience with appropriate animal (mouse) handling and husbandry. Demonstrate compliance with Case Western Reserve University animal research and care policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines. Must demonstrate compassion for animals within Case Western Reserve University facilities and dedication to the animal resource center’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.Ability to serve as the lab’s Chemical Safety Officer and maintain an up-to-date and compliant chemical hygiene plan with the environmental health and safety office. This position must demonstrate extensive knowledge of proper handling, storage, and disposable of biohazardous materials, such as human biopsy or blood samples, or bodily fluids such as urine or stool samples. Extensive knowledge of safe handling practices, and proper storage and disposable for toxic laboratory chemicals such as formaldehyde, chloroform, hydrochloric acid, or carcinogens like ethidium bromide.Experience with writing protocols and subsequent amendments for the institutional animal care and use committee, institutional biosafety committee, or the Institutional Review Board.Proficient with pipetting and has ability to perform techniques such as immunohistochemistry staining, preparation of single cell isolations from a variety of tissue types, and have extensive hands on experience with RNA, DNA, and protein isolation protocols and experience conducting and analyzing basic biochemical assays such as gel electrophoresis, ELISA, qPCR, or Western Blot for various target genes.Extensive hands on experience with basic laboratory equipment such as tissue homogenizers, centrifuges, microscopes, electrophoresis equipment, pH meters, and CO₂ cell culture incubators and have the willingness and ability to learn how to use new equipment as needed. This position must have willingness to also learn new techniques, procedures, processes and computer programs as needed.Proficient in use of computers and software including GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, and all software components of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud for the usage of storing, compiling and analyzing results or data and to constructing manuscript figures. Must have ability and general knowledge to troubleshoot established protocols or laboratory procedures. This position must demonstrate effective problem-solving skills, sound judgment and good decision-making.Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow through. Ability to perform both independent research and collaborate with others in the laboratory. Ability to maintain supplies and equipment for all in the laboratory while adhering to grant deadlines.Ability to maintain familiarity and demonstrate knowledge of project priorities with exceptional organizational skills in record-keeping with ability to keep detailed and accurate laboratory notes and organize samples, analyze data, and calculate results. Must have the ability to maintain meticulous, complete, and easily retrievable laboratory and clinical data and records.Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills, including editing manuscripts and grant proposals. With strong interpersonal skills with an ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of technical and educational backgrounds within the department, the School of Medicine, and the university. And must have the ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and patients face to face.Effective management skills: ability to lead, train, work with, and elicit cooperation from laboratory members. A well-functioning laboratory depends on maintaining good relations with all members of the laboratory. Must be able to work both independently and with others.Ability to effectively teach laboratory techniques to entering students at all levels. This is an extremely important skill for this position.Ability to maintain consistent attendance. Must also demonstrate flexibility and ability to occasionally work under pressure of strict deadlines.Must demonstrate effective time management skills and ability to meet consistent attendance.Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality for record keeping, sample information and project details.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position involves working under standard laboratory and office conditions, which occasionally results in working under potentially hazardous conditions, e.g., with strong acids or bases, with electrophoresis equipment, with solvents and biohazardous reagents. The employee will use established background with safety procedures and experimental protocols that regularly require the use of personal protective equipment, including standard lab coat, gloves and safety glasses when appropriate. Occasionally overtime may be necessary for example around grant deadlines or because of limited availability of heavily used departmental equipment, or to conduct in vivo experiments.

Case Western Reserve University's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service “Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to the School of Medicine Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

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In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: https://case.edu/equity/covid-19-accommodations. Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 /equity@case.edu for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as an accommodation.

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