Research Assistant 2 - MS (Neuroscience)

26-Mar-2024

Neuroscience

85013BR

University Job Title

Research Assistant 2 MS

Bargaining Unit

L34 - Local 34 (Yale Union Group)

If Fixed Duration, Period

2 years from date of hire

If Fixed Duration, is continuation possible?

Yes

Other Fixed Duration Date

01-Nov-2023

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade D

Wage Ranges

Click here to see our Wage Ranges

Searchable Job Family

Research/Support

Total # of hours to be worked:

37.5

Work Week

Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)

Work Location

Medical School Campus

Worksite Address

100 College Street
New Haven, CT 06506

Position Focus:

The Research Assistant 2, MS will support a laboratory in the Department of Neuroscience. The Research Assistant will support the Principal Investigator and the other research team members in carrying out defined technical tasks in the laboratory to ensure the smooth running of the lab. The Research Assistant 2 MS will:
1) Manage the ordering process and common lab purchases of the Colón-Ramos Lab. We define common lab purchases as those which are used by most/all members of the lab and are not specific to any particular project. Handle the purchase of needed common lab reagents in the medical stockroom and through Workday. Anticipate the lab use of reagents to ensure the consistent availability of common reagents; including but not limited to microcentrifuge tubes, pipette tips, serological pipettes, miniprep and gel cleanup kits, culture tubes, commonly used enzymes, etc. Order office-related materials.

2) Curate and maintain the intralab worm database/other databases with research/plasmid information. Proficient in the standardized notation methods in the field, and capable of training new lab members on these notations, as well as editing records as necessary. Will be primarily responsible to curate the lab databases, making sure all records are according to appropriate standards and properly documented and shared with the field as necessary. Responsible for sharing materials, including sending lab strains/plasmids/reagents to other labs and major repositories.

3) Oversee and coordinate the preparation of common reagents used in the Colón-Ramos Lab for the smooth operation of the lab. This includes preparing solutions such as 50X and 1X TAE, M9 and S Buffer, 1M KPO4 pH6, 1M CaCl2, 1M MgSO4; prepare aliquots for antibiotics (Kanamycin, Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol), nematode anesthetics (Levamisole & Muscimol) and commonly used enzymes (2X GoTaq, LR and BP Clonases [Gateway]). Make plates for bacterial selection (Kanamycin or Ampicillin). Autoclave and refill pipette tip boxes. Make unseeded plates.

4) Oversee and coordinate the organization of the lab working spaces and the working conditions of the equipment, ensuring the lab runs smoothly. The person would be in charge of keeping the common areas clean and in working condition -- with special emphasis in the chemical reagents/gel room. Maintain the incubators and bench mite-free by coordinating periodical cleaning and baking days. Cleaning the -80C freezers. Take care of the compound, dissecting and injection scopes in the lab, and all the other equipment (centrifuges, PCR machines, etc) and contact the corresponding vendor for service when problems arise. Making sure all equipment is functional, including replacing microscope bulbs and parts when malfunction, cleaning objectives, and replacing biohazard containers once filled. 

5) When other labs request strains or other reagents from our lab, prepare the transfer of said materials and ship strains using eShipGlobal or similar structures Yale provides. This includes ensuring materials are shared with depositories upon publication as to ensure reproducibility and archival or our results.

6) In coordination with the IT specialists from our departments, keep the lab computers updated and protected. Develop strategies to ensure robust data storage. Maintain the lab website and coordinate/update content of other public-facing databases of the lab.

7) Provide worm plates for the lab. Manage the plate pouring robot and hire and coordinate plate pouring activities during the year to ensure consistent supply of plates for experimental goals of lab. Co-ordinate the sharing of the machine with additional C. elegans labs, involving scheduling, training their students, or shared resources.

Essential Duties

1. Researches and collects data through complex laboratory/scientific experiments, techniques, and procedures; library research; structured interviews; or through other means for research projects. Interprets, synthesizes, and analyzes data using scientific or statistical techniques. 2. Modifies and plans research experiments, procedures, tests, or survey instruments. Assists in research design. Writes and edits material for publication and presentation. Reports on status of research activities. 3. Oversees and instructs research and support staff on technical procedures, equipment operation, and laboratory maintenance. Schedules and coordinates research activities. Sets up, operates, and maintains laboratory equipment and apparatus. Modifies equipment according to experimental specifications. 4. Orders and maintains inventory of supplies. May monitor hazardous work areas and laboratory safety. Prepares related reports. May prepare financial information and monitor budgets. 5. Performs additional functions incidental to research activities.

Required Education and Experience

Two years of related work experience in the same job family and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Ability to onboard and train incoming students to best practices in the lab. Train new lab members in using the ordering system for their project-specific purchases, as well as coordinating their training on basic worm husbandry, annotation and safekeeping of laboratory materials, use of common equipment and other lab-related behaviors necessary for working in the lab.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Excellent communication (verbal and written). Strong interpersonal skills and excellent computer skills including use of laboratory related software as well as Microsoft Office applications.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Previous work in lab environment and demonstrated ability with basic lab techniques.  Ability to assess and prioritize tasks in the lab environment and be able to multi-task according to the needs of the laboratory.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Exemplary time and attendance. Have excellent interpersonal and management skills with a professional and customer service oriented demeanor. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Ability to interface with the sales reps to negotiate and acquire the equipment and supplies necessary for the operation of the lab. Ability to be the EHS contact person and our lab safety officer, which entails overseeing safety and compliance requirements for chemicals and hazardous materials use.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Previous training and experience in genotyping, genetic crosses and microinjections, freezing and thawing nematode transgenic strains and curation of genetic and phenotypic information in a database. Previous experience in molecular cloning, including design and ordering primers. Experience working with laboratory data/information management systems or laboratory databases would be beneficial.

Weekend Hours Required?

No

Evening Hours Required?

No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here:
https://covid19.yale.edu/health-guidelines

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

EEO Statement:

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus