Research Associate

Kansas City University•Kansas City, KS

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Kansas City University is seeking a motivated and collaborative Research Associate to join the Dybedal Research Center on the Kansas City campus. This position offers an opportunity to participate in biomedical research focused on how epigenetic mechanisms influence gene expression during cardiac development, with relevance to congenital heart defects. A central responsibility for this position is supporting the Biomedical Research Methodology course. The Research Associate will play an active role in preparing laboratory materials, supporting instructional activities, and supervising, mentoring, and guiding students during laboratory sessions and course-related research projects. This position requires strong technical expertise in molecular biology and cell culture, as well as a commitment to student learning and laboratory education.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline, or a bachelor’s degree with two years of equivalent research experience
Strong expertise in molecular biology techniques and mammalian cell culture is required
Demonstrated ability to support and supervise students in a laboratory teaching or research environment
Strong understanding of experimental design, laboratory protocols, and data interpretation
Excellent attention to detail and commitment to high-quality, reproducible research
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in a shared research and teaching environment
Ability to exercise sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and professional discretion
Proficiency with standard computer applications and data analysis tools used in research settings

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of experience in a biomedical research laboratory is preferred
Experience with bacterial cloning, DNA sequencing workflows, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis is preferred
Experience with gene expression analysis, RNA biology, or related molecular research methods is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Maintain and culture human and other mammalian cell lines under sterile conditions
Perform routine cell culture techniques, including passaging, cryopreservation, thawing, and viability assessment
Conduct molecular biology experiments, including RNA and DNA extraction, PCR, and quantitative RT-PCR
Perform bacterial cloning workflows, including plasmid construction, transformation, colony screening, and plasmid preparation
Support gene expression and RNA regulation studies using cell-based experimental systems
Perform transfection and other gene delivery techniques as needed for experimental workflows
Conduct DNA sequencing workflows and support sequence verification and analysis
Interpret next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, including basic processing, quality assessment, and gene expression or transcriptomic analysis
Process, organize, and analyze biological samples for molecular biology experiments
Assist with experimental design, optimization, and troubleshooting of molecular and cell-based assays
Perform data analysis for gene expression studies, including statistical analysis and interpretation of results
Prepare figures, tables, and summaries for manuscripts, presentations, grant applications, research presentations and laboratory reports
Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks, databases, protocols, and sample records
Assist faculty with the Biomedical Research Methodology course, including preparation of reagents, cell culture materials, molecular biology reagents, cloning and sequencing materials, protocols, and instructional setups
Supervise and guide students during laboratory sessions, providing hands-on instruction in cell culture, molecular biology, bacterial cloning, sequencing, and related laboratory techniques
Assist with laboratory organization, inventory management, equipment maintenance, and preparation between teaching sessions