Laboratory Research Assistant

Laboratory Research Assistant

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Laboratory Research Assistant is responsible for supporting research projects that aim to understand how genetics affects lactation through participating in research activities including mammalian cell culture, molecular assays, imaging, laboratory organization, reagent preparation, and experimental workflows.

Essential Job Duties

Maintain mammalian cell cultures (under minimal supervision):

• Prepare sterile media, buffers, reagents, and cell culture supplies for multiple cell lines, perform routine cell passaging, cryopreservation, and viability assessments
• Support the development of 2D and 3D multicellular culture systems

Manage laboratory environment (under general supervision):

• Manage daily laboratory organization and oversight
• Maintain chemical and supply inventories and SOPs
• Manage equipment maintenance
• Onboard and train new laboratory members
• Manage laboratory compliance (safety, IRB)

Participate in the execution of research studies (under minimal supervision):

• Assist with a variety of molecular biochemical assays including protein/immunoblotting, RNA/qPCR, DNA/transfection, immunofluorescent/brightfield imaging
• Prepare human milk samples for downstream analyses
• Assist with data analysis and management

Other Job Duties:

• Manage team and PI schedules
• Maintain work areas in clean, orderly, and safe condition
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Promote the University's commitment to customer service by:

• Build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
• Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.
• Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Working Conditions:

• Regular office schedule with occasional travel between campuses.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• A Bachelor's degree in a life science discipline with 1-2 years of experience in a relevant laboratory environment
• Experience using computer-based tools (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Strong attention to detail and organization
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills

Additional Considerations:

• Experience with tissue engineering

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a life science discipline or >2 years relevant laboratory environment
• Experience working with cultured cell models
• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques such as immunoblotting, RNA/DNA isolation, qPCR
• Experience with microscopy, confocal imaging