Research Assistant

Details•Roanoke, VA

About The Position

The Lessard Laboratory is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated research assistant with an interest in laboratory studies related to exercise physiology, nutrition, metabolism, and diabetes. The lab is located within the Center for Exercise Medicine Research (CEMR) in the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) in Roanoke Virginia. The successful candidate will work on NIH-funded research projects to determine how exercise training, in combination with dietary and pharmacological therapies, influence health and metabolism. More information on current studies can be found at https://fbri.vtc.vt.edu/research/labs/lessard.html. The primary responsibilities of this position will be to assist with various experimental protocols including tissue culture systems, mouse husbandry and physiology, and molecular biology assays. The research assistant will also spend significant time and effort on general lab maintenance and organization. The successful candidate should be detail-oriented and highly organized with excellent communication skills. The research assistant should also be flexible regarding daily tasks and thrive in a fast-paced research environment. Additional duties include data management and analysis, completing laboratory safety and compliance training, and maintaining a detailed laboratory notebook. Initial training will be provided for all aspects of the position. Benefits of this position include gaining high-level research experience, authorship in scientific publications, and working in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. This is an excellent position for candidates interested in pursuing medical or graduate school in the future.

Requirements

Demonstrated research experience
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
Demonstrated ability and desire to succeed in a fast-paced research environment with multiple concurrent duties
Excellent communication skills
Willingness to work with and handle live mice
Willingness to work with tissues and blood samples from animals and humans

Nice To Haves

Experience in a higher education or research setting
Coursework or training in biology, health sciences, biochemistry, exercise physiology, or another related field
Proficiency with data collection and analysis in an academic/research setting
Experience with tissue culture and aseptic technique
Experience with handling animal models to conduct research
Knowledge and/or experience in exercise physiology, metabolism, or diabetes research

Responsibilities

Assist with various experimental protocols including tissue culture systems, mouse husbandry and physiology, and molecular biology assays.
Spend significant time and effort on general lab maintenance and organization.
Data management and analysis
Completing laboratory safety and compliance training
Maintaining a detailed laboratory notebook.