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Research Assistant 2

Employer
Case Western Reserve University
Location
Elyria, OH
Closing date
Jan 29, 2023

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Sector
Science
Organization Type
Corporate
Job Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under general supervision, plan and carry out research project in accordance with general plans. Develop proficiencies in conducting molecular diagnostic assays that support the laboratory's research projects on the molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases (emphasizing COVID-19, other significant human respiratory viruses, and globally important microbes). Duties will include performing and optimizing real-time PCR and genomic library preparation and sequencing of respiratory viruses. This position may also contribute to transfer of technology developed in at Case Western Reserve University.

ESSENTIAL FUNCITONS
  1. Plan and carry out project in accordance with general plans. Prepare samples for molecular epidemiological analysis of infections. Manage a database of samples between multiple sites (tracking samples received, samples extracted, samples sent for analysis, sample data received and reported). Participate in discussions about study results with lab members and scientific collaborators. (20%)
  2. Conduct a series of experiments to supply scientific information as part of a larger project. Projects involve nucleic acid extraction, real-time PCR and genomic sequencing of respiratory viruses to understand the molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases (emphasizing COVID-19, other significant human respiratory viruses and globally important microbes). (20%)
  3. May assist in developing improved techniques, projection methods or procedures. Basic assay approaches described in Item 2 (above) are certain to require some level of troubleshooting and may expand to different respiratory infections and require optimization of new reagents. (10%)
  4. Collect and analyze data. An understanding of data generated by real-time PCR and genomic sequencing is utilized. Focus on evaluating the performance on approaches to evaluate the assessments of respiratory viruses Included here is cataloguing human clinical and wastewater samples and contributing to development of a biological sample repository. (25%)
  5. Oversee inventory. Ensure that the laboratory avoids stock-outages of supplies to perform real-time PCR genomic sequencing. (15%)


NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  1. Perform other duties as assigned. (4%)
  2. Maintain certain equipment facilities. Make sure that real-time PCR machine is performing as expected. (3%)
  3. Contribute to training of students and newer technical staff. (3%)


CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with supervisor and CGHD staff to discuss research and maintain workflow.

University: Weekly contact with other departments to share information.

External: Weekly contact with collaborators from University Hospitals, the Cleveland VA Hospital and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

Students: Occasional contact with student employees to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees. Assist in training of new staff; assist with student projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience: Bachelor's degree and 1 to 3 years of related experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 2 to 4 years of experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS
  1. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
  2. Has knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within molecular diagnostics and epidemiology.
  3. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. This relates to managing a database of samples between multiple sites (tracking samples received, samples extracted, samples sent for analysis, sample data received and reported).
  4. Ability to operate laboratory equipment to include real-time PCR machine, Bioplex detector and connected computers
  5. Ability to interact through oral and written communications with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face-to-face across a research team distributed between CWRU, area hospitals and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.


WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory environment. May have exposure to hazards. The employee will be exposed to general chemicals, human blood and/or tissue and wastewater.

Diversity Statement
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Reasonable Accommodations
Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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COVID Vaccination
Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: https://case.edu/equity/covid-19-accommodations. Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 /equity@case.edu for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as an accommodation.

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