Research Assistant 1

Department
 

BSD PED - Cardiology - Moskowitz Lab

About the Department
 

Exciting research opportunity in the Moskowitz laboratory to help drive a research project in developmental biology aimed to understand the molecular basis of birth defects. The lab is devoted to the genetic, genomic and molecular study of gene regulatory networks in developing organs, particularly cardiac development with respect to Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). In cardiac development, we have identified an essential role for cilia-based Hedgehog signaling in cardiac progenitors, an essential aspect of mammalian cardiac development. Our studies have contributed to a paradigm shift in the understanding of cardiac morphogenesis, which is driven by events in cardiac progenitors rather than in the heart itself (e.g. Hoffmann et al., 2009; Xie et al., 2012; Zhou et al., 2017).  We have recently identified a surprising and novel role for Hedgehog signaling in developmental timing control that will be the basis of future projects (Rowton et al. 2020).

Job Summary
 

The job performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.
This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

• Assists with developing or amending study protocols; developing data collection tools; building databases; and provides general administrative support. Has general awareness in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.  

• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project. 

• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.  

• Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator. 

• This job provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment performing basic laboratory techniques, research and analysis under direction. 

• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision. 

• Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents. 

• Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. 

• Performs other related work as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications  

 

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree. 

 

Preferred Competencies  

• ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, GRO-seq, and RNA-seq. 

• CRISPR genetic engineering. 

• Rapid protein degradation using Degron system. 

• Bioinformatics. 

• Cardiac functional analyses. 

• Mouse genetics. 

• Lentivirus transduction. 

• Cell culture experience.

• Protein-protein interaction analysis using mass-spectrometry. 

Working Conditions   

• Laboratory Setting.

 

Application Documents   

• Resume (required) 

• Cover Letter (required) 

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

Yes

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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