Research Assistant 4

Case Western Reserve University, United States

Updated: 27 days ago
Location: Campus, ILLINOIS
Job Type: FullTime

A strong internal candidate has been identified.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction from the principal investigator, the Research Assistant 4 will coordinate major experiments involving the study of retinal cholesterol homeostasis. This position will utilize a variety of experimental procedures ranging from routine procedures such as tissue collection, qRT-PCR, and histo/immunohistochemistry to highly complex procedures requiring high level of skills which include in-vivo ophthalmic characterizations by SD-OCT, different angiographies, fundus imaging, intraocular pressure measurements, various types of electroretinography, and visual acuity determination. Other highly complex procedures include establishing a corneal microbead mouse model, intravitreal injections, transmission electron microscopy, dissections of retina and optic nerve, and histological tracking of retinal lipoprotein by indocyanine green. The research assistant will also develop new methods of animal characterization per project needs. This position will work with animals.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Coordinate major research activities in the laboratory under the two eye research project grants. This includes effort coordination of different lab members, ensuring compliance with animal protocol guidelines and requirements of the NIH, preparing Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee updates, and instrument repairs. Represent the lab in monthly departmental meetings, annual university Visual Sciences Research Center’s symposium, and an annual major eye meeting. (12%)
  • Provide input and recommendations to the principal investigator regarding research projects. Discuss with the principal investigator the overall project design, specific experiments, and data analysis plan with subsequent reports about the project progress and project future development. (10%)
  • Perform the most complex quantitative analytical procedures. These include in vivo studies of mice and hamsters by: SD-OCT, different angiographies, fundus imaging, intraocular pressure and visual acuity measurements, and electroretinography. Utilize innovative research techniques requiring a high degree of skill and training such as microbead intravitreal injections to develop mouse model of glaucoma, tissue preparation for transmission electron microscopy, dissections of different parts of the eye and optic nerve. (40%)
  • Assist in developing procedures, coordinate information with others as needed. Participate in development of procedures for lipoprotein particle isolation from the blood and retina and other methods that are required for research projects. Maintain and manage study protocols, description of research techniques and procedures. (6%)
  • Teach or instruct others in research techniques. Train and supervise research assistant’s 2 as well as students when they join the laboratory in histo/immunohistochemistry techniques, imaging, data analysis, and animal handling procedures in accordance with the institutional animal care and use committee procedure and guidelines. (6%)
  • Co-author research projects. Participate in manuscript and grant writing, figure preparation, and all other activities that require a co-authorship on a manuscript and subsequent grant funding. (20%)
  • May supervise research assistants and technicians. Provide detailed written instructions and tight supervision via daily meetings with a core manager to maintain all of the laboratory mouse strains. Supervise research assistants 2 and students (when joining the laboratory) in their daily activities. Assign daily tasks and manage daily progress daily. (6%)

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    NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

    Perform other duties as assigned.

     

    CONTACTS

    Department: Daily contact with the principal investigator and lab members to discuss research and maintain workflow; monthly contact with researchers in the department during research meetings.

    University: Daily contact with ARC staff, and annual participation in the university visual sciences research center symposium.

    External: annual presentation of a research project at a major eye meeting and interaction with colleagues to gain their feedback.

    Students: train students when joining the laboratory.

     

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

    May supervise students, core managers, and research assistant 2 and technicians.

     

    REQUIREMENTS

    Experience: 5 to 8 years of related experience required.

    Education/Licensing: Bachelor’s degree in science.

     

    REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Ability to perform ophthalmic characterizations of mice and hamsters by SD-OCT, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine angiography, fundus imaging, intraocular pressure and visual acuity measurements, and various types of electroretinography.
  • Strong skills in ocular dissection.
  • Strong knowledge and skills in different histo/immunohistochemistry techniques, imaging, and quantification methods.
  • Ability to work effectively independently under direction from the principal investigator as well as collaboratively within a team with colleagues.
  • Ability to maintain meticulous, complete, and easily retrievable laboratory data.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Graph Pad Prism, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and different imaging software.
  • Ability to interact with colleagues and supervisors face to face and communicate with various individuals within and external to the University.
  • Ability to willingly learn new techniques and procedures as needed, follow established protocols or laboratory procedures and request clarification if necessary.
  • Extensive experience working with animals.
  • Must demonstrate compliance with university animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance with regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
  • Must demonstrate compassion for animals within university 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 learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer gear to protect the health of the animals.
  • Must be able and willing to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and utilize protective gear to protect the health of the animals.
  • Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
  • Ability to operate laboratory equipment: an optic domain spectral coherence tomograph, an electroretinography instrument, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope; an OptomoMory system; a tonometer to measure intraocular pressure; a PCR machine; a centrifuge; a spectrophotometer, and a plate reader.
  • Ability to meet consistent attendance.

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    WORKING CONDITIONS

    General laboratory environment. The employee will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens, chemicals, and radiation. Protective equipment will be required including gloves, coat, and eyewear. Working conditions will require working at the bench in laboratory, working with mice and other animal models in the laboratory and in the animal facility, and when needed working outside standard working days or hours as required by the needs of a given experiment.

    Case Western Reserve University's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service “Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to SOM Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

     

    In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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    Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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