Research Assistant

Charles R. Drew University • Los Angeles, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Assistant provides technical support in a cardiovascular research laboratory under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr. Susana Cavallero. The role supports experiment planning and execution, data collection and analysis, and bench work involving small-animal studies and molecular biology. The position is part-time, non-exempt, and on-site unless specifically authorized otherwise. Employment is conditional on continued funding; the position is funded by the Novel Mechanisms and Vascular grant, which has an end date of 6/30/2027, and no work may be performed after the grant end date without a written extension from an authorized University representative.

The Research Assistant supports mouse studies and animal care under approved protocols and welfare procedures, maintains endothelial and smooth muscle cell cultures, performs molecular and immunostaining techniques, prepares solutions, and maintains laboratory supplies, equipment, records, and safety. The role also supports sample processing, preliminary data analysis, quality control, research communications, and coordination with laboratory members and collaborators. The position requires compliance with institutional policies and regulatory requirements for laboratory safety, animal research, biological materials, and research data. CDU employees must comply with current University COVID-19 requirements.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field.
• One to three years of experience in a related field.
• Previous experience with animal care and handling is required.
• Experience handling mice and designing in vivo experiments to understand mechanisms of atherosclerosis.
• Knowledge of basic genetics, molecular biology, and biochemical principles.
• Familiarity with molecular biology techniques, including DNA, RNA, and protein extraction, Western blots, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, and instrumentation.
• Ability to use basic laboratory equipment, including centrifuges, pH meters, and PCR equipment, and troubleshoot instruments as needed.
• Ability to calculate solution concentrations and carefully follow experimental protocols.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organization skills, including accurate recordkeeping, organizing raw data clearly, and maintaining laboratory readiness.
• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Willingness to learn new skills.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.
• Ability to comply with current CDU COVID-19 requirements as a condition of employment.
• Ability to perform highly detailed work with sustained attention and care while providing and obtaining information on numerous inquiries.
• Physical demands include occasional stooping; frequent standing; and constant walking, sitting, climbing, reaching at high and low levels, finger movement, feeling, speaking clearly, conversational hearing, and seeing far and near.
• Mental demands include frequent work on a variety of unrelated tasks and constant calculating, interrupted work, work on interrelated tasks, and sustained concentration, reasoning, judgment, resourcefulness, analytical ability, and ingenuity.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal studies in mice and support animal care and research activities in accordance with approved protocols, IACUC requirements, and animal welfare procedures.
• Maintain endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell cultures.
• Perform laboratory techniques including Western blotting and immunostaining; select and prepare antibodies and reagents, and image samples using bright-field or fluorescence microscopy.
• Prepare buffers, chemical agents, and other solutions according to research protocols.
• Maintain laboratory equipment; order and receive supplies; manage inventory and monitor reagents.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, including proper labeling, storage, and disposal of chemicals, biological materials, and laboratory waste.
• Follow laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures, and research procedures to ensure consistent, accurate, and reproducible results.
• Assist with experimental planning and preparation, organize study materials, prepare timelines, and coordinate sample collection and processing.
• Collect, label, process, store, and track biological specimens and research samples according to established protocols.
• Maintain complete and timely laboratory records, including procedures, raw data, sample identifiers, reagent information, and protocol deviations.
• Assist with quality control, troubleshoot routine experimental issues, and report unexpected results or technical concerns to the PI or designated laboratory personnel.
• Perform routine data entry, organization, verification, and preliminary analysis using appropriate laboratory software and data management tools.
• Assist with research reports, presentation materials, scientific figures, tables, and supporting documentation for lab meetings, conferences, and manuscript preparation.
• Comply with institutional policies and applicable regulatory requirements for laboratory safety, chemical handling, biological materials, animal research, and research data management.
• Coordinate purchasing requests and maintain inventory records to support research operations.
• Coordinate with the PI, laboratory personnel, students, and collaborating research teams to support research activities and project timelines.
• Participate in laboratory training, research discussions, and professional development activities to maintain competency in assigned techniques and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the PI.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level