Assistant Staff Scientist

University of Arkansas System • Little Rock, AR

8d

About The Position

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a unique combination of education, research, and clinical programs that encourages and supports teamwork and diversity. We champion being a collaborative health care organization, focused on improving patient care and the lives of Arkansans. The Assistant Staff Scientist is responsible for the daily management and operations in the Bioanalytical Core facility at UAMS, which is administered in the UAMS College of Pharmacy. The Core supports the research community at UAMS and beyond by providing liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analyses for the detection and quantification of small molecules and heavy metal/trace elements in diverse samples. The Assistant Staff Scientist will be responsible for the communications with existing and new core users, oversee the maintenance of core equipment under standard operating procedures, develop and optimize liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) methods and protocols for small molecule detection and quantification, train core staff in method development and operation of Core equipment, collect, analyze, and interpret data from experiments, and prepare poster and oral presentations of Core services. The Assistant Staff Scientist interacts with and assists the public in a professional and friendly manner as needed, demonstrates effective communication skills, communicates accurate and complete information, and maintains strict confidentiality when necessary, providing exceptional customer service.

Requirements

• Master's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related field with specialization in analytical chemistry.
• Post-Doctoral fellowship experience
• A minimum of three years of hands-on experience with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for targeted mass spectrometry is required.
• The ideal candidate will demonstrate proven expertise in mass spectrometry techniques, including sample processing in blood and various animal tissues, as well as project management.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize analytical methods and protocols for mass spectroscopy analyses.
• Ensure that new methods are robust and reliable for research applications, including method validation and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with research teams to plan experiments, review progress, and communicate findings.
• Provide technical advice and support to ensure research objectives are met.
• Lead working meetings of Core personnel.
• Train Core personnel in method development, sample preparation, and data acquisition.
• Prepare biological and environmental samples for analysis, employing techniques such as liquid-liquid extraction, sonication, bead milling, solid phase extraction, and microwave digestion to ensure accurate data collection.
• Process analytical data from initial acquisition through final analysis.
• Utilize software packages for data handling and perform quality assurance and control checks to ensure the integrity of the data.
• Operate and maintain mass spectrometers and associated equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, tuning, and cleaning of instruments to maintain optimal performance.
• Assist in writing sections of grant proposals and research papers related to core services.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through scientific publications and presentations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family
• Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only)
• Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS
• Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000
• Career Training and Educational Opportunities
• Merchant Discounts
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees