Sr. Research Specialist- Padmanabhan Lab

University of Rochester•Rochester, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive. This role provides direct research support and is responsible for small and large, complex research projects that constitute major aspects of several larger research projects. This includes animal colony management, sophisticated animal experiments and surgery, human iPSC-derived neuronal tissue culture, and imaging and immunohistochemistry. The specialist is responsible for the operation of a specialized research area or laboratory with one or more faculty members within a department. They may train technicians, undergraduate students, temporary lab personnel, pre-doctoral students, and post-doctoral and medical fellows who join or work with the core laboratory in lab-specific techniques. The specialist provides guidance or directly supervises technicians and undergraduate students and may act as a liaison with other departments, divisions, or organizations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related work experience involving direct assistance to researchers required.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience in animal experiments, neurobiology, animal physiology, imaging, immunohistochemistry
Ability to multitask, excellent organizational abilities, and the ability to work well as part of a team.
Ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment as needed required.

Responsibilities

Sets up and performs experiments and procedures in support of lab goals and grant commitments (e.g. assays, cell/tissue culture, animal studies, etc.).
Contributes to the planning and design of studies and experiments in the research lab setting.
Develops and modifies test methods, selects procedures for data collection and handling, and develops computer programs for data conversion and statistical analysis.
Works independently with only occasional suggestions in modifying, varying, or adapting standard laboratory procedures to meet the special needs of research projects.
Performs analyses and develops modifications of standard methods to meet special situations.
Designs or collaborates in designing research and equipment.
Evaluates the performance of research equipment, making or recommending correctional design changes or developing new approaches for its use.
Develops and trains incoming lab members.
Supports the faculty, postdocs, and students.
Directs the work of technicians.
Teaches laboratory techniques and instrumentation procedures to students and laboratory technical support staff; advises and counsels them on research projects and technical problems.
Ensures that health and safety practices are maintained in accordance with University policy and the law.
Manages a mouse colony, including husbandry, weaning, genotyping, and animal experiments.
Manages human iPSC culture resources.
Performs lab housekeeping duties, including ordering, inventory, organization, record keeping, preparing and re-stocking reagents, animal protocol maintenance, and compliance with all University guidelines and policies.
Demonstrates organizational skills and the ability to communicate established guidelines to others.
Prepares and analyzes reports using defined methods and prescribed formats.
Calculates and records results and observations.
Prepares data for presentation or publication.
Searches literature for reference to technical problems involved in research projects; writes procedures; prepares charts, graphs and tables.
Analyzes and evaluates experimental data, interprets results, and assesses the importance of findings in relation to the general research program.
Prepares written reports on the assigned area of research.
Supports the Principal Investigator in the writing of the principal project reports.
Co-authors or authors publications and may co-present results with the Principal Investigator at meetings and/or conferences.
Assists in acquiring research funding, including the development of grant proposals.
Maintains contact with associated internal and external research laboratories, vendors, and technical representatives concerning the project.
Orients visitors to the laboratory.
Keeps abreast of trends in the field of interest by reading professional journals; and attends/participates in weekly lab meetings, and, as appropriate, institutes and seminars.
Other duties as assigned.