Research Scientist

Case Western Reserve University•Cleveland, OH

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction and mentorship from the Principal Investigator, the Research Scientist will lead, design, and execute translational pulmonary and critical care research projects focused on sepsis, hemolysis, immune dysfunction, cardiovascular injury, host response biology, and critical illness. This individual will work directly with the Principal Investigator on a regular basis while operating independently on current grant funded laboratory projects. Responsibilities include independent experimental design and execution, generation of rigorous and reproducible data, analysis and interpretation of experimental findings, presentation of results, preparation of manuscripts, and development of preliminary data for future grant applications. The Research Scientist is expected to develop scientific independence over time and to apply for external grant funding under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator. The position will include mentored training in grantsmanship, project framing, preliminary data development, manuscript preparation, response to review, and the responsible conduct of translational biomedical research.

Requirements

PhD, MD, MD/PhD, DVM, PharmD, or other terminal degree in biological sciences, biomedical sciences, immunology, physiology, molecular biology, critical care research, medicine, veterinary medicine, or a closely related field required.
Minimum of 5 years of related experience.
Advanced knowledge of translational biomedical research practices, experimental design, data interpretation, and responsible conduct of research.
Demonstrated expertise in relevant laboratory methods such as ELISA, multiplex cytokine analysis, ELISpot, flow cytometry, Western blotting, protein quantification, cell isolation, tissue processing, cell culture, molecular assays, biochemical assays, animal research techniques, or human biospecimen workflows.
Excellent analytical skills with ability to formulate findings, identify technical issues, and make scientific recommendations based on experimental data.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including technical writing skills required for manuscripts, abstracts, progress reports, grant applications, and scientific presentations.
Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple active projects, prioritize deadlines, maintain accurate records, and adapt to shifting scientific priorities.
Effective leadership and mentoring skills with ability to train, guide, and support laboratory staff, students, fellows, and collaborators.
Ability to work independently while maintaining regular communication with the Principal Investigator and functioning collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
Strong problem solving skills, scientific creativity, sound judgment, and ability to develop practical solutions to experimental and operational challenges.
Strong computer skills, including data management, figure generation, literature management, statistical or analytic software as appropriate, and ability to learn new programs as needed.
Knowledge of IRB, IACUC, biosafety, data security, and laboratory compliance requirements as applicable to assigned projects.
Ability to prepare publication quality figures and data summaries and contribute meaningfully to manuscripts and grants.
Ability to meet consistent attendance requirements and provide flexible support based on active experiments, collaborator needs, and grant deadlines.
Must demonstrate compliance with CWRU animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
Must demonstrate compassion for animals within CWRU facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
Must be able and willing to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and utilize protective gear to protect the health the animals.

Responsibilities

Independently design, plan, conduct, troubleshoot, and refine experiments supporting mechanistic studies in pulmonary and critical care research. Projects may include human biospecimen studies, biochemical assays, immunologic assays, cell based experiments, animal models, and mechanistic studies related to sepsis, hemolysis, inflammatory signaling, endothelial injury, cardiovascular dysfunction, and host immune responses/ Maintain high standards for experimental rigor, reproducibility, quality control, data integrity, and adherence to approved laboratory SOPs, IACUC protocols, IRB protocols, biosafety practices, and institutional requirements. (20%)
Support and lead major components of existing funded projects in the laboratory. Establish project timelines, coordinate experimental priorities, maintain organized records of study progress, and provide regular scientific updates to the Principal Investigator. Generate results and data that advance funded aims, support manuscript development, and create preliminary data for future applications. Identify experimental barriers and recommend solutions to improve study execution and scientific yield. (20%)
Analyze biochemical, immunologic, molecular, cellular, animal, and human biospecimen data using appropriate analytic methods. Perform data quality review, identify technical inconsistencies, conduct statistical or quantitative summaries when appropriate, and prepare clear scientific interpretations of findings. Assemble publication quality figures, tables, summaries, and data packages for laboratory meetings, manuscripts, abstracts, progress reports, and grant applications. (10%)
Independently write and apply for grants as Principal Investigator. Submit subsequent grant applications as needed to maintain independent research and funding. (10%)
Prepare and contribute to manuscripts as first author and coauthor based on discoveries from research performed in the laboratory. Draft abstracts, posters, oral presentations, scientific summaries, and progress reports for internal and external audiences. Present data and findings at laboratory meetings, research conferences, seminars, collaborator meetings, and grant planning sessions. Communicate findings clearly to the Principal Investigator, laboratory members, collaborators, and trainees. (15%)
Develop grant concepts, specific aims, preliminary data packages, research strategy sections, figures, and supporting documents under the mentorship of the Principal Investigator. Learn and apply principles of rigorous grant writing, study design, grantsmanship, and response to reviewer critique. Apply for external funding opportunities appropriate to career stage and scientific focus, including foundation awards, institutional pilot awards, career development awards, and federal grant mechanisms when applicable. (10%)
Develop, evaluate, and refine experimental protocols, SOPs, assay workflows, sample processing procedures, data management practices, and quality assurance processes. Coordinate experiments performed by laboratory staff and trainees when appropriate.Provide technical guidance and training to research assistants, technicians, students, fellows, and other laboratory members in experimental methods, data organization, documentation, and scientific reasoning. (10%)
Meet regularly with the Principal Investigator to review research progress, experimental plans, data interpretation, manuscript development, and grant strategy. Participate collaboratively with investigators, laboratory personnel, clinical research teams, cores, and external collaborators within and outside CWRU. Support a productive, ethical, organized, and collaborative laboratory environment that advances the mission of the translational pulmonary and critical care research program. (5%)
Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the translational pulmonary and critical care research program. Assist with scientific review, literature summaries, laboratory organization, trainee education, equipment coordination, and special projects as needed. (<1%)