Research Associate - Mellon College of Science - Biological Sciences

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mellon College of Science (MCS) is home to four departments and many programs and research centers that cross disciplines. We approach scientific problems from fresh angles using creative interdisciplinary approaches while drawing on our departmental strengths in the core sciences. MCS faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized for their research in a variety of fields, including polymer science, cosmology, mathematical finance, and neuroscience. The Ransey Lab within our Biological Sciences department seeks a Research Associate I to support a combination of laboratory administrative management and computational research management. The RA1 will contribute to daily lab organization, purchasing and expense documentation, sample and reagent management, data organization, and computational processing of experimental datasets. In addition, this role helps develop and maintain workflows for data handling, storage, analysis, and documentation in support of ongoing studies of gap junction biology and intercellular communication.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
1-3 years of research experience required.
Experience working in a biological research laboratory is required.
Applicants should be comfortable with basic lab organization, reagent/sample handling, record keeping, and following established protocols.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, reasoning and communication skills.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check

Nice To Haves

Experience with data processing, coding, or computational analysis is preferred, but training can be provided for lab-specific workflows.
A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Responsibilities

Complete and file purchasing card reports, invoices, receipts, reimbursements, and other routine administrative documentation related to laboratory operations.
Coordinate with the principal investigator and lab members to maintain efficient systems for tracking laboratory purchases, supplies, expenses, and shared operational records.
Work with lab members to develop programmatic pipelines for efficient experimental data management, organization, storage, processing, and analysis.
Build, test, and maintain computational workflows that support data handling and analysis across ongoing lab projects.
Develop standard operating procedures and user-facing documentation for lab-specific computational tools, data management systems, and analysis workflows.
Train and support lab members in the use of computational pipelines, shared data storage systems, and lab-specific analysis tools.
Assist with evaluating, testing, and implementing new computational tools related to protein engineering, molecular modeling, image analysis, flow cytometry analysis, and other research needs.
Initiate and carry out computational pilot projects, as appropriate, to explore new analysis methods, software tools, or modeling approaches that support the lab’s research program.
Document computational workflows, troubleshooting steps, and best practices to promote reproducibility, continuity, and effective knowledge transfer within the lab.