Research Assistant

BASIC FUNCTION

Provide support for research by conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing results, and performing operational duties in a research laboratory that studies renal diseases. Key areas of responsibility include maintaining animal colony and genotyping, conducting research activities/experiments, collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data, preparing reports, facilities and equipment management.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Research:

Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by other research staff or principal investigator of the research project.

Read and review articles as directed.

As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypothesis for discussion with other researchers or principal investigator.

Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations:

Read and understand protocols.

Arrange and plan daily activities to prepare for research protocols.

Set up and operate research materials or equipment.

Perform procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.

Recruit, consent and enroll research subjects; perform varied tasks in the research environment (lab, clinic, field, classroom).

Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.

Collect, record and consolidate data as directed by the Principal Investigator.

Track progress of research activities.

Adhere to Quality Assurance protocols to maintain validity and integrity of research data.

As individual skills develop, troubleshoot, analyze and propose modifications to protocols; perform complex techniques per protocol; test and evaluate current procedures; develop and implement procedures for monitoring data integrity present results at team meetings.

Collect, Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications:

Collect and track, perform data entry for reports and maintain records of methods used.

Prepare materials for reports.

As skills develop, analyze data.

May present results/finding at team and departmental meetings.

Administrative and Project Management:

Assist with IRB, ACURF or similar protocol submissions, if applicable.

Track various indicators of project progress and summarize in reports to the research team.

Assist in documenting compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.

Facilities and Equipment Management:

Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.

Assist with procurement of supplies and materials.

May initiate purchasing requests, monitor accounts/expenditures; reconcile statements.

QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Experience preparing buffer solution and common molecular biological regents is required.

Experience in quality control / quality assessment of equipment, procedures and tests is required.

Ability to perform data collection, reporting and analysis is required.

Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required.

Experience with mouse colony set up and maintenance including inbreeding and genotyping is highly desirable.

Understanding of molecular genetics principles is desirable.

Experience performing DNA, RNA, and protein preparation and purification is desirable.

Experience performing cell and tissue cultures is desirable.