SUMMARY:

The Research Assistant II position will work both independently and collaboratively as part of a focused group of researchers that studies how maternal factors influence their offspring’s immune system in early life and adulthood.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with mouse models and mouse colony maintenance including genotyping, animal husbandry, and monitoring.
• Performs cellular and molecular biology techniques which can include cell culture, tissue preparations, flow cytometry, bacterial culture etc.
• Analyzes and interprets scientific data using a variety of techniques.
• Performs related laboratory support and maintenance such as assisting with preparing standard solutions, stocking and weekly inventory, and organizing incoming lab supplies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. Bachelor's degrees in a different discipline and a minimum of 4 years of experience in a scientific role will be considered in lieu.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office
• Other skills required:
  • Experience performing molecular biology techniques.
  • Hands on experience working with mice.
• Prior experience working with mouse tumor models preferred.
• Prior experience with flow cytometry and bacterial cultures preferred.
• Experience analyzing and presenting scientific data preferred.

COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

The expected pay range for this position is $21.15-$25.00 per hour.
Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to stand
• Occasionally required to walk
• Occasionally required to sit
• Frequently/required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Occasionally required to talk or hear
• Occasionally required to taste or smell
• Occasionally exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts

• Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasionally exposure to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
•  exposure to bloodborne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 10 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All individuals who accept a position with the Salk Institute must be willing to work in an animal-related research environment, must successfully complete the Institute’s background investigation and must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement.