Research Scientist

Case Western Reserve University: School of Medicine (FAC/RA/RS): School of Medicine - Main Campus (FAC/RA/RS): HUB - CLINICAL: Pulmonary - Staff Location Cleveland, OH Open Date Aug 12, 2026 Description POSITION OBJECTIVE Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction and mentorship from the Principal Investigator, the Research Scientist will lead, design, and execute translational pulmonary and critical care research projects focused on sepsis, hemolysis, immune dysfunction, cardiovascular injury, host response biology, and critical illness. This individual will work directly with the Principal Investigator on a regular basis while operating independently on current grant funded laboratory projects. Responsibilities include independent experimental design and execution, generation of rigorous and reproducible data, analysis and interpretation of experimental findings, presentation of results, preparation of manuscripts, and development of preliminary data for future grant applications. The Research Scientist is expected to develop scientific independence over time and to apply for external grant funding under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator. The position will include mentored training in grantsmanship, project framing, preliminary data development, manuscript preparation, response to review, and the responsible conduct of translational biomedical research. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 1. Independently design, plan, conduct, troubleshoot, and refine experiments supporting mechanistic studies in pulmonary and critical care research. Projects may include human biospecimen studies, biochemical assays, immunologic assays, cell based experiments, animal models, and mechanistic studies related to sepsis, hemolysis, inflammatory signaling, endothelial injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, and host immune responses/ Maintain high standards for experimental rigor, reproducibility, quality control, data integrity, and adherence to approved laboratory SOPs, IACUC protocols, IRB protocols, biosafety practices, and institutional requirements. (20%) 2. Support and lead major components of existing funded projects in the laboratory. Establish project timelines, coordinate experimental priorities, maintain organized records of study progress, and provide regular scientific updates to the Principal Investigator. Generate results and data that advance funded aims, support manuscript development, and create preliminary data for future applications. Identify experimental barriers and recommend solutions to improve study execution and scientific yield. (20%) 3. Analyze biochemical, immunologic, molecular, cellular, animal, and human biospecimen data using appropriate analytic methods. Perform data quality review, identify technical inconsistencies, conduct statistical or quantitative summaries when appropriate, and prepare clear scientific interpretations of findings. Assemble publication quality figures, tables, summaries, and data packages for laboratory meetings, manuscripts, abstracts, progress reports, and grant applications. (10%) 4. Independently write and apply for grants as Principal Investigator. Submit subsequent grant applications as needed to maintain independent research and funding. (10%) 5. Prepare and contribute to manuscripts as first author and coauthor based on discoveries from research performed in the laboratory. Draft abstracts, posters, oral presentations, scientific summaries, and progress reports for internal and external audiences. Present data and findings at laboratory meetings, research conferences, seminars, collaborator meetings, and grant planning sessions. Communicate findings clearly to the Principal Investigator, laboratory members, collaborators, and trainees. (15%) 6. Develop grant concepts, specific aims, preliminary data packages, research strategy sections, figures, and supporting documents under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator. Learn and apply principles of rigorous grant writing, study design, grantsmanship, and response to reviewer critique. Apply for external funding opportunities appropriate to career stage and scientific focus, including foundation awards, institutional pilot awards, career development awards, and federal grant mechanisms when applicable. (10%) 7. Develop, evaluate, and refine experimental protocols, SOPs, assay workflows, sample processing procedures, data management practices, and quality assurance processes. Coordinate experiments performed by laboratory staff and trainees when appropriate. Provide technical guidance and training to research assistants, technicians, students, fellows, and other laboratory members in experimental methods, data organization, documentation, and scientific reasoning. (10%) 8. Meet regularly with the Principal Investigator to review research progress, experimental plans, data interpretation, manuscript development, and grant strategy. Participate collaboratively with investigators, laboratory personnel, clinical research teams, cores, and external collaborators within and outside CWRU. Support a productive, ethical, organized, and collaborative laboratory environment that advances the mission of the translational pulmonary and critical care research program. (5%) NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the translational pulmonary and critical care research program. Assist with scientific review, literature summaries, laboratory organization, trainee education, equipment coordination, and special projects as needed. ( CONTACTS Department: Frequent contact with PI and lab members, may work with other faculty for collaboration of research projects, contact with administrative staff as needed University: Regular/Occasional contact with other labs for collaboration, Regular/Occasional contact with the Animal Resource Center, Contact with other departments as needed External: Supply vendors, other institutions, funding agencies, etc. as needed Students: Undergraduate and graduate student employees working in the lab SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY May supervise laboratory staff including research assistants and technicians. May supervise Research Associates within the lab. Oversee all lab members including postdoctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students. Direct supervisory responsibility includes the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward or discipline subordinate employees or effectively recommend such actions. In collaboration with appropriate University HR & General Counsel policy. Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting annual salary is $70,000-$71,000, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data. Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS Experience: PhD, MD, MD/PhD, DVM, PharmD, or other terminal degree in biological sciences, biomedical sciences, immunology, physiology, molecular biology, critical care research, medicine, veterinary medicine, or a closely related field required. Minimum of 5 years of related experience. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES 1. Advanced knowledge of translational biomedical research practices, experimental design, data interpretation, and responsible conduct of research. 2. Demonstrated expertise in relevant laboratory methods such as ELISA, multiplex cytokine analysis, ELISpot, flow cytometry, Western blotting, protein quantification, cell isolation, tissue processing, cell culture, molecular assays, biochemical assays, animal research techniques, or human biospecimen workflows. 3. Excellent analytical skills with ability to formulate findings, identify technical issues, and make scientific recommendations based on experimental data. 4. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical writing skills required for manuscripts, abstracts, progress reports, grant applications, and scientific presentations. 5. Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple active projects, prioritize deadlines, maintain accurate records, and adapt to shifting scientific priorities. 6. Effective leadership and mentoring skills with ability to train, guide, and support laboratory staff, students, fellows, and collaborators. 7. Ability to work independently while maintaining regular communication with the Principal Investigator, and functioning collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. 8. Strong problem solving skills, scientific creativity, sound judgment, and ability to develop practical solutions to experimental and operational challenges. 9. Strong computer skills, including data management, figure generation, literature management, statistical or analytic software as appropriate, and ability to learn new programs as needed. 10. Knowledge of IRB, IACUC, biosafety, data security, and laboratory compliance requirements as applicable to assigned projects. 11. Ability to prepare publication quality figures and data summaries and contribute meaningfully to manuscripts and grants. 12. Ability to meet consistent attendance requirements and provide flexible support based on active experiments, collaborator needs, and grant deadlines. WORKING CONDITIONS General laboratory, office, and animal research environments. Position may include exposure to biological specimens, laboratory reagents and chemicals, research animals, sharps, anesthetic agents, and standard laboratory equipment. Work may require standing for prolonged periods, use of PPE, occasional lifting of laboratory supplies or equipment, procedural work requiring manual dexterity and fine motor precision, and occasional schedule variability based on active experiments, grant deadlines, or scientific meetings. Occasional travel to scientific meetings or collaborator sites may be required. 13. Animal research only: Must demonstrate compliance with CWRU animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines. 14. Animal research only: Must demonstrate compassion for animals within CWRU facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times. 15. Animal Research only: Must be able and willing to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and utilize protective gear to protect the health the animals. WORKING CONDITIONS General laboratory, office, and animal research environments. Position may include exposure to biological specimens, laboratory reagents and chemicals, research animals, sharps, anesthetic agents, and standard laboratory equipment. Work may require standing for prolonged periods, use of PPE, occasional lifting of laboratory supplies or equipment, procedural work requiring manual dexterity and fine motor precision, and occasional schedule variability based on active experiments, grant deadlines, or scientific meetings. Occasional travel to scientific meetings or collaborator sites may be required. Animal research only: Case'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 SOM 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. Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting annual salary is $70,000-$71,000, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data. Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess. Qualifications Experience: PhD, MD, MD/PhD, DVM, PharmD, or other terminal degree in biological sciences, biomedical sciences, immunology, physiology, molecular biology, critical care research, medicine, veterinary medicine, or a closely related field required. Minimum of 5 years of related experience. Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email View email address on click.appcast.io . Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr