Scientific Research Specialist CL1

University of Maine System • Orono, ME

10d • $20 • Onsite

About The Position

A scientific research specialist CL1 position is available in the Henry/Barrick labs. In the Henry Lab the specialist will support research studying molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuromuscular degeneration in zebrafish models of muscular dystrophies. The successful candidate will utilize cutting-edge genetic, molecular, and imaging approaches to investigate disease pathogenesis. In the Barrick lab, the specialist will support research studying the cellular mechanisms of cardiomyopathy in a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte model. The successful candidate will use confocal microscopy to image live cardiomyocytes and apply image analysis tools to quantify the impact of disease-associated mutations on cellular properties such as contractility. Full-time, regular position, 40 hours per week, 5 days per week. Normal daily work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position pays $19.61/hour, or applicable transfer rate in accordance with the ACSUM collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

• Typically has the education associated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Optical Microscopy, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or related field with advanced coursework in the above fields or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of one year of laboratory experience or more (can be during undergraduate education if extensive research experience was acquired).
• Must be highly motivated and organized, prudent in time management and capable of juggling multiple tasks and competing priorities.
• Quick to learn new skills on the job and work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and problem solving/analytical skills and the ability to interact professionally with all levels of students and staff. Must be a team player.
• Critical thinking skills and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with molecular biology, confocal microscopy, image analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory experiments to elucidate mechanisms of neuromuscular degeneration
• Perform laboratory experiments to elucidate mechanisms of altered cardiomyocyte contractility
• Maintain, and assist with the generation and characterization of transgenic and mutant zebrafish lines relevant to neuromuscular degenerative diseases
• Maintain and assist with the generation and characterization of parent and gene-edited mutant human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) lines relevant to cardiomyopathy
• Perform imaging studies using confocal and light-sheet microscopy
• Execute molecular and cellular biology techniques, including cloning, HRMA, Taqman, and sample preparation for deep sequencing
• Analyze confocal microscopy data using established image analysis tools in MATLAB
• Troubleshoot experimental challenges and technical issues
• Maintain detailed, organized laboratory notebooks and records
• Contribute to grant applications, project progress reports, and manuscripts submitted to scientific journals
• Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees