Research Assistant 2 (Term position, 20 hours/week)

Salary Grade

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 wage rate is $19.41 per hour, 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.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under general supervision, the Research Assistant 2 will plan and carry out research projects in accordance with general plans. The research objective of the projects in the lab will be to understand the embryonic development of skull bone. The research assistant will be in charge of dissections, processing tissues, histology, genotyping, and helping with the care of animals. The research assistant will also work with students, new members of the lab, collaborations, and the general upkeep of laboratory. This position will work with animals. This is a part-time 20-hour per week, 2.5 year term position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct a series of experiments to supply scientific information as part of a larger project. Manage mouse colony husbandry, time matings, collect tissues, process tissues, genotype embryos and mice, make stock solutions and reagents to support these experiments. (40%)
• May assist in developing improved techniques, projection methods, and procedures. Focus on improving histology and imaging techniques. (10%)
• Collect and analyze data. Collect embryos, generate cryosections, perform gene expression analysis on tissues and do confocal imaging. The focus will be on mouse craniofacial embryonic development. (25%)
• Oversee inventory in the lab of chemicals, consumables. May be involved in basic lab organization, updating inventory, ordering, safety related materials. Maintain certain equipment facilities. Keep equipment clean and functional. If equipment needs repair, contact company and follow instructions. (15%)
• Train new staff in common methods of the lab. The lab has a team of undergrads and grad students who need guidance in learning new techniques. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with administrative support staff in the biology department. Daily contact with supervisor to discuss research and maintain workflow on projects, troubleshooting, and animal breeding.

University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information.

External: Limited or no contact with vendors to exchange information for trouble shooting and repairs.

Students: Regular contact with students for training and to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees. Train new staff; direct the work of students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Bachelors degree in biology or chemistry and 1 to 3 years of related experience or an Associates degree in an approved biotechnology program and 2 to 4 years of experience required. Advanced course in Developmental Biology preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Has knowledge of commonly used biology concepts, lab practices, and molecular biology procedures within a particular field. Basic experience in mouse or small animal husbandry work and molecular biology laboratory setting.
• Previous experience working with animals preferred.
• Must demonstrate compliance with Case Western Reserve University 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.
• Must demonstrate compassion for animals within Case Western Reserve University facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Centers mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
• Demonstrable skills in math, computers, basic chemistry. Familiarity with molecular biology techniques.
• Strong verbal English and writing skills.
• 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.
• Skill with PCR, mouse genetics work, histology, immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, and gel electrophoresis helpful but not required.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory environment in Millis Building and in the Animal Resource Center in Wolstein building. Desk space in the lab with access to a shared computer as needed. Common space in Millis Building and access to shared instrumentation facilities in the building complex. The employee will need to walk to the mouse facility in Wolstein building on campus which is a 10 minute walk. Must be able to sit for long periods of time (2 to 3 hours) for cryosectioning and imaging. May have to go to the confocal core facility in the Robbins building in the medical school. Employee will be exposed to small quantities (less than 10 mls) of 4% paraformaldehyde in the hood, and oral gavaging Tamoxifen to adult mice. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards. There is no external travel. Sometimes additional hours are needed to complete an experiment, the hours may be adjusted.

Case Western Reserve Universitys 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 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.

Term Position

This is a Term position. They are treated like regular staff positions for medical and dental benefits eligibility, vacation, holidays, and sick time. Term employees are not eligible for life insurance, retirement, long term disability, short term disability, tuition assistance, layoff status, or severance pay. Staff in term positions are also subject to the performance management review process and positive corrective action when work performance or behavior is unsatisfactory or unacceptable. Term employment does not alter the employment-at-will employee status of these employees.

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EEO Statement

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 Accommodations

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 CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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