Research Assistant

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Messenger Lab at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a Research Assistant to complete general laboratory operations and aid in graduate students’ projects. Our lab focuses on assessment and delivery of analgesic therapeutics in large animal models, from benchtop experiments to clinical research. Specifically, we work with pigs, dogs, cats, and occasionally other species. This position will be in charge of maintaining the laboratory and instrumentation for these projects, writing and maintaining laboratory SOPs and Animal Use Protocols, and participation in experiments as desired. In addition, this position will provide graduate student experimental support, be in charge of laboratory organization and cleanliness, and be in charge of ordering laboratory supplies.

Requirements

Must be flexible and enjoy a diverse and sometimes fast-paced research environment
Must be an effective communicator and understand English as a primary language
Must have U.S. citizenship (cannot support or sponsor working visas)
Must have experience working in a laboratory and/or with animals
Must have experience with writing and following laboratory SOPs, AUPs, and maintaining excellent records/notebooks.
BS in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or a related field

Nice To Haves

Experience with chromatography (HPLC/UPLC/MS, etc.)
Experience in drug discovery
Experience with prepping samples for mass spectrometry and analyzing proteomics experiments
Adaptability managing multiple projects at the same time
Handling veterinary species such as dogs, cats, horses, cattle and pigs
Experience with animal models of pain
MS or PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry or a related field