Research Assistant 1 (Job 9166)

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under moderate supervision, the research assistant 1 will perform research work in immunology and vaccine research to support research studies in the division of Infectious Diseases. The focus of the research study is to explore how older individuals respond to vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccines. The study will work with human samples.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* Perform research work in medical and related technical areas involves use of lab skills. Specifically perform research work including but not limited to processing of human blood samples, storing the cells and serum under frozen conditions, and entering the information into the database of these activities. (45%)

* Conduct analysis of samples. Perform immune assays of T cells and B cells to interpret vaccine responses. These would include flow cytometry and ELISA type assays. (15%)

* Record results for a particular experiment or closely related series of experiments. Specifically recording results for a particular of the immune experiments of vaccine responses. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

* Maintain records of experiments performed. Maintain clear and organized database of samples and notebooks documenting procedures used and data generated. ( 5%)

* Maintain test equipment utilized in experiments. Maintain equipment performing required maintained of machines and organizing and calling for service contract visits. (5%)

* Order laboratory supplies including reagents, other laboratory supplies. Then maintain chemical/biological inventory in compliance with EHS. (5%)

* Organize shipments of specimens to other collaborator labs. Specimens will be pulled from cryo storage and packed for shipment. (5%)

* Perform routine lab maintenance including cleaning equipment and lab ware; dispose of biohazardous waste. (5%)

* Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisor and lab members to discuss research and maintain workflow.

University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information and collaborate on projects.

External: Limited or no contact with vendors to exchange information.

Students: Occasional contact with student employees to explain policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and 0 to 1 year of experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

* Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within immunology, cell biology and molecular biology.

* Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.

* Ability to operate laboratory equipment.

* Ability to meet consistent attendance.

* Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

* The candidate has to be willing and able to work with human specimens from subjects that have not been prescreened for any chronic diseases such as hepatitis, HIV or COVID. Training and verification will be provided before working with human specimens and procedures and work will be carefully monitored.

* Must demonstrate compliance with university human subjects research policies and maintain current certification after trained in the lab.

* Previous experience working in an immunology preferred.

* Strong organization skills and good habit of maintaining a clean lab working environment; demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and proven ability to successfully follow-through on assigned projects.

* Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills and good interpersonal skills with the ability to work and communicate with various individuals within and external to the University.

* Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team (must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter).

* Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

* Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel and GraphPad Prism is preferred. Experience using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and FlowJo is a plus.

* Must have the ability to maintain meticulous, complete, and easily retrievable laboratory data.

* Must have the ability to willingly learn new techniques and procedures as needed, follow established protocols or laboratory procedures and request clarification if necessary.

* There may also be need to work at Cleveland VA and obtain access to work in that building for some of the immunology experiments as our flow cytometry is in that building.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory environment: The lab is an open floor plan with abundant bench and hood space for studies. Ample desk space with computers are also provided. The lab is equipped with a fume hoods for storage of hazardous and non-hazardous materials as well as several freezers. The cell culture rooms are equipped with 3 incubators, 4 culture hoods, and microscope. Access to a multi-color Flow Cytometer, ELISA reader and real time PCR machine in a neighboring labs. The candidate should expect frequent interactions with lab members from that lab and must be willing to collaborate. Major physical demands include being able to process blood in the hood. The individual will be exposed and use to routine laboratory chemicals and solvents, and paraformaldehyde for tissue processing. They will be working with human samples blood and respiratory in the hood. Some work may be in BSL2+ conditions.