Research Assistant II
About The Position
The Research Assistant II performs laboratory research for internally and externally funded projects and supports the preparation of laboratory manuscripts and reports. The role oversees day-to-day project activities and coordinates sample and data collection. It also supports laboratory operations through supply management, safety-record maintenance, and assistance with reports for regulatory groups such as the IRB and radiation safety. The position develops and maintains computerized research records, which may include web-based forms and limited computer programming. The role includes managing a mouse colony and animal-husbandry activities, supporting a range of laboratory experiments, maintaining organized research records, and compiling and presenting experimental data. The Research Assistant II works under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator, follows institutional and laboratory safety requirements, and may provide scheduled weekend or holiday coverage when required by animal-colony or study needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- At least one year of relevant laboratory research experience.
- Substantial hands-on laboratory or animal research experience is preferred; qualifying experience may include paid employment, sustained undergraduate research, or a research internship.
Nice To Haves
- Substantial hands-on laboratory or animal research experience.
Responsibilities
- Manage routine mouse colony and animal-husbandry activities, including breeding, weaning, animal identification, colony census, cage-card and database maintenance, and coordination of genotyping.
- Monitor animals and colony records and promptly communicate health, breeding, or welfare concerns to the Principal Investigator and appropriate animal-care or veterinary personnel.
- Perform or assist with approved animal procedures, sample collection, tissue processing, and experimental preparation after required training and competency verification.
- Support laboratory scientists with experiments, which may include preparing reagents, buffers, and media; cell or tissue culture; molecular biology assays; histology and immunostaining; microscopy; flow cytometry; and basic biochemical assays, depending on project needs and training.
- Take day-to-day ownership of assigned experiments under the Principal Investigator’s direct supervision, including reviewing plans, carrying out protocols, identifying technical problems, discussing troubleshooting, and completing directed follow-up experiments.
- Maintain complete, timely, and organized laboratory records, including protocols, laboratory notebooks, animal and specimen identifiers, raw data, analysis files, and experimental outcomes.
- Compile, analyze, graph, and summarize experimental data using appropriate software; review results with the Principal Investigator and present work at laboratory meetings as requested.
- Maintain shared laboratory supplies and work areas, monitor inventory, prepare routine stock solutions, and assist with ordering and receiving supplies.
- Operate routine laboratory equipment safely; perform basic cleaning, maintenance, and quality-control checks; and promptly report equipment problems.
- Follow institutional, IACUC, biosafety, chemical safety, occupational health, and laboratory-specific policies; complete required training and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, trainees, students, and research partners; contribute to a reliable and collegial laboratory environment; and assist with orientation of new personnel to routine procedures after competency is established.
- Participate in scheduled weekend or holiday animal-care and experimental coverage when required by colony or study needs.
- Assist with preparation of laboratory manuscripts and reports, maintain safety records, and assist with regulatory reports related to the research project.
- Develop and maintain computerized record systems for the research project, potentially including web-based forms and limited computer programming.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
