Junior Research Assistant

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

To assist in the data acquisition and data analysis of experimental laboratory research under the direction of Professor Amelia Fuller, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

Requirements

• Basic understanding of working safely in a chemical laboratory, principles of chemical reactivity, stoichiometry, organic synthesis, spectroscopic analysis of organic molecules.
• Safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Synthesis of organic molecules.
• Monitoring organic reaction progress.
• Purification of organic molecules.
• Spectroscopic data acquisition and analysis.
• Use of routine laboratory equipment, including balances and micropipettes.
• Searching and critical reading of the scientific literature.
• Basic scientific writing.
• Understand and follow laboratory safety regulations.
• Work independently.
• Work cooperatively as part of a research team, including regular progress reports to supervisor and other members of the laboratory.
• Keep detailed records of work in laboratory notebook.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry or closely aligned field required.
• 0-3 years of laboratory research experience required.
• Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the Synthesis and Study of New Organic Molecules: Synthesize various organic molecules using solution and solid-phase synthesis methods, including calculating reagent amounts and monitoring reaction progress. Purify synthetic molecules using advanced instrumentation, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Identify and characterize synthetic products using advanced instrumentation including mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR), and other optical spectroscopy techniques. Analyze and process spectroscopic data to generate plots and figures. Execute routine troubleshooting of commonly used instrumentation in the laboratory by interfacing with laboratory management staff and/or service representatives.
• Writing Support: Conduct searches of the scientific literature at the request of the supervisor and summarize findings, including posting articles to online repositories. Prepare bibliographies for and proofread grant proposals and research articles produced by the supervisor.
• Chemical and Consumables Ordering: Keep a working inventory of routinely used chemicals and consumables, and place orders with vendors to replenish these as needed.
• Maintenance of Laboratory Safety: Execute and report regular online laboratory safety inspections via the university portal. Remedy minor safety code infractions within the laboratory. Write standard operating procedure protocol documents to train new students to execute routine laboratory procedures safely and reproducibly.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Ensures that undergraduate student researchers maintain a safe laboratory environment and adhere to standard laboratory procedures.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level