Hourly Research Specialist

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hourly Research Specialist will support research projects in the GI and Hepatology Division of the Department of Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. The work includes research and data collection, research administration and documentation, compliance and quality assurance, collaboration and communication, and technical and operational support. The role focuses on laboratory research involving anaerobic bacteriology and human gut microbiota, including isolating and culturing commensal microbes from complex samples and developing a microbial strain library. The specialist will collect, store, and process patient biological samples, including stool, blood, urine, and tissue; perform aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures and bacterial function assays; and conduct laboratory procedures such as DNA/RNA extraction, ELISA, Western blotting, protein assays, molecular cloning, and plasmid preparation. The role also involves maintaining detailed experiment records and a tissue database, preparing and shipping samples, organizing laboratory supplies and equipment, and supporting laboratory maintenance. The specialist will assist faculty, principal investigators, students, and other research personnel; support undergraduate and graduate students in the laboratory; prepare data graphs, slides, tables, scientific papers, conference materials, and research reports; and perform other assigned research-related duties. The position is not eligible for benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science or a related field.
At least 3 years of related research experience.
Comprehensive knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices, and methods.
Proficiency in specific laboratory research techniques.
Laboratory coursework.
Proficiency in anaerobic bacterial cultures.
Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English.
Visa status permitting availability for a personal interview.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in science is preferred.
Ph.D., B.S., M.S., or equivalent degree in microbiology, immunology, biology, chemistry, or a related science.
Publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
Clear potential to acquire extramural funding, such as postdoctoral fellowships and local or foundation grants.
Deep understanding of basic microbiology techniques, with a focus on anaerobic microbiology.
Ability to contribute immediately to microbial isolation and culturing of human gut commensals from complex samples and to create a microbial strain library.
Skills in assessing microbial viability and enumerating microbes grown in single cultures and complex samples.
Experience preparing microbial culture media and frozen microbial stocks.
Ability to use or develop biochemical and other assays to characterize microbes.
Ability to engineer bacteria for therapeutic gains through molecular methods.

Responsibilities

Assist with planning, developing, and implementing research projects.
Conduct literature reviews and gather information from scholarly articles, journals, databases, and other academic sources.
Collect, organize, and maintain research data in accordance with established protocols.
Conduct surveys, interviews, observations, experiments, and other assigned research activities.
Review research materials for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
Assist with data entry, coding, transcription, and preliminary data analysis.
Improve existing methods and procedures and evaluate new techniques.
Maintain accurate research records, project files, databases, and documentation.
Prepare research summaries, progress reports, presentations, and other project materials.
Assist with preparation of research proposals, grant applications, and supporting documentation.
Track project milestones, deadlines, and deliverables, and ensure documentation is accessible to authorized team members.
Follow university policies, research protocols, and applicable ethical standards; maintain confidentiality of research data and participant information.
Assist with IRB documentation and human-subjects research compliance when applicable.
Collaborate with faculty, principal investigators, graduate students, and other research personnel; communicate findings, updates, and potential issues to the research supervisor.
Coordinate research activities across project teams and support preparation of conference posters, presentations, manuscripts, and publications.
Use research software, spreadsheets, statistical tools, and databases to support project activities.
Maintain research equipment, supplies, and materials, if applicable; assist with laboratory preparation, sample processing, or specimen management when relevant.
Collect, store, and process biological samples, including stool, blood, urine, and tissue from patients.
Perform aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures, bacterial function assays, and laboratory procedures including DNA/RNA extraction, ELISA, Western blotting, protein assays, molecular cloning, and plasmid preparation.
Keep detailed records of laboratory experiments; receive, prepare, and ship biological samples.
Assist with ordering and organizing laboratory supplies and equipment and with laboratory maintenance, including tracking supplies, tissue database information, and shipping costs.
Assist undergraduate and graduate students with their learning experience in the laboratory.
Prepare graphs, slides, and data tables, and write portions of scientific papers.
Perform other research-related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.