Research Assistant - Ophthalmology (Greiner Lab)
About The Position
The Research Assistant will conduct general morphological, molecular biological, and/or cell culture work in a multidisciplinary vision research laboratory. The role assists with maintaining human corneal endothelial cell cultures, designing and conducting experimental assays to measure the cellular function of native and cultured corneal endothelial cells, operating and troubleshooting laboratory equipment, recording and reporting research data, and conducting molecular assays as needed. The position is with University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City. It is a specified-term appointment initially lasting one year; continuation beyond that term depends on departmental needs and funding availability. The position is listed at 100% time.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Practical or academic knowledge of basic laboratory procedures and ability to translate, adapt, and apply that knowledge.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compose concise, logical, organized communications and grammatically correct documents.
- Careful attention to detail and accuracy, strong organizational skills, and ability to handle multiple tasks, establish priorities proactively, and meet deadlines.
Nice To Haves
- Master of Science degree or related field.
- At least two years of documented basic and applied research experience, with theoretical and applied knowledge of tissue culture procedures and techniques.
- Experience with morphological techniques, including tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry, histochemistry, and electron microscopy.
- Experience with genetic and molecular biological techniques, including RNA and DNA isolation, Northern and Southern blot analyses, PCR, and RT-PCR.
- Experience with biochemical techniques, including SDS-PAGE and Western blotting; cell metabolism techniques such as MTT or equivalent; and cell culture analytic techniques.
- Working knowledge of computer programs and applications for genetic data analysis, statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and genetic databases, as well as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ImageJ, and Photoshop.
- Previous experience with confocal microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, and post-image processing.
- Experience writing manuscripts for publication and grants for submission.
- Experience or knowledge with human ocular tissue.
Responsibilities
- Prepare human specimens for morphological, molecular biological, biochemical, cell metabolism, and microscopy procedures.
- Assist in designing novel experimental protocols for corneal research studies and carrying out protocols reported in the literature.
- Participate in and recommend amendments to current research protocols.
- Maintain cultures of human primary and immortalized/transformed corneal endothelial and epithelial cells.
- Prepare images, photographic plates, graphs, tables, and supplemental materials for reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Oversee maintenance of laboratory instruments and assist with chemical and reagent inventory and keeping the premises neat and orderly.
- Participate, as needed, in acquisition of research ophthalmic tissue and preparation of tissue from human donors and surgical explants.
- Enter data, create graphs and PowerPoint slides, and interpret results using Macintosh and PC computers.
- Search computer and library databases on specified topics, prepare bibliographies, and retrieve and maintain references.
- Write manuscript methods based on experiments performed in the laboratory when needed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
