Research Associate, Biology

Indiana University, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Indiana, PENNSYLVANIA
Deadline: ;

Posting Details
Position Details


Title Research Associate, Biology
Appointment Status Non-Tenure Track
Department IU Bloomington Biology
Location Bloomington
Position Summary
The department of Biology is a large, unified department with strong undergraduate degrees, nationally-ranked graduate programs, and world-class research spanning the breadth of biological questions and experimental systems — from ecosystems to microbiology and developmental biology, from evolution to cell biology, from molecular biology to systems biology, bioinformatics, and genomics. It is always an exciting time for Biology — enormous advances in global genome analysis coupled with unprecedented developments in interdisciplinary research have made the 21st century the Century of Biology. For more information about the department, you can find it here: About: Department of Biology: Indiana University Bloomington .
The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to building and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community of students and scholars.
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.
Position Summary:

Interactions between microbial species can have profound influences on the course of human disease. We seek to understand the cellular mechanisms driving these interactions in order to modulate polymicrobial community behavior and improve patient outcomes. We are seeking a research assistant to conduct research on interspecies bacterial interactions important for human disease, with particular focus on respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis patients.
Position Responsibilities:
Research:Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by principal investigator. Read and review articles as directed. As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypotheses for discussion with other researchers or principal investigator.
· Perform library andonline research on specified topics for use in experimentation.
· Perform experimental studies based on given hypotheses and goals; evaluate and record outcomes of experiments based on hypotheses and goals and submit for investigator’s inspection.
· Assist in the analysis and interpretation of experiments.
· Observe techniques in other laboratories.
Experiments,
Investigations, Evaluations: Read
and understand protocols. Arrange and plan daily activities to prepare for
research protocols. Set up and operate
research materials or equipment. Perform procedures assuring fidelity to
protocols. Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines. Collect, record
and consolidate
data as directed by the Principal Investigator. Track progress of research
activities. Adhere to Quality Assurance protocols to maintain
validity and integrity of research data. As individual skills develop:
troubleshoot, analyze and propose
modifications to protocols; perform complex techniques per protocol; test and
evaluate current procedures; develop and implement procedures for
monitoring data integrity; present results at lab meetings.
· Perform experimentalprocedures; record and consolidate data.
· Perform basic bacteriology techniques primarily with Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus: bacterial growth and competition assays, biofilm assays, motility assays, infection of epithelial cells in culture.
· Perform molecular biology experiments, including the
construction of bacterial gene deletions, constitutive and
inducible expression, and promoter fusion constructs.
· As skills develop and following proper training, perform live bacterial cell imaging and confocal
imaging of ex vivorespiratory samples from cystic fibrosis patients.
· Maintain cell lines by feeding, splitting/passaging, and cryopreservation/storage.
· Maintain laboratory stocks of pathogens under study.
· Analyze bacterial gene expression using
molecular and transcriptomic analyses.
· Isolate, purify, and
characterize bacterial exoproducts.
· Purify recombinant proteins using standard biochemical procedures (chromatography,
electrophoresis, etc).
· Prepare chemical solutions and media according to established protocols and standards,
including proper handling and storage of all solid, liquid, and gaseous
chemicals and solvents.
· Complete work within specified time guidelines; discuss progress and any problems as needed.
Collect, Analyze, and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts and
Publications:
Collect and track data, perform data entry for reports and maintain
records of methods used. Prepare materials for reports. As skills develop,
analyze data. Prepare bibliographies and abstracts for publications. May present
results/findings at departmental meetings.
· Present research progress at laboratory and journal club
meetings.
· Assist in the preparation of manuscripts and grants by
organizing data and preparing photographs, figures, and tables as directed.
Administrative and Project Management:
Assist with IRB or similar protocol submissions, if
applicable. Track various indicators of project progress and summarize in
reports to the research team. Assist in
documenting compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
· Assist in completion of required paperwork for new and departing
laboratory personnel, including required vaccinations and exposure
testing, annual training, radiation safety, biohazard safety, laboratory
safety, and fire safety training.
· Assist in maintaining accurate
records of laboratory databases (equipment and supplies, reagents, microbial strains
and stocks, and animals).
Facilities and Equipment Management:
Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility
equipment. Assist with procurement of supplies and materials. Maintain
laboratory supplies and equipment, including the timely
ordering, receiving, and proper storage of supplies and equipment.
· Assist in maintaining general laboratory functionality.
· Maintain a clean work area.
Supervision and Staffing:
As skills develop, may train, provide direction,
assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling of students and newer employees.
Assist in organizing the laboratory to accommodate new personnel and techniques.
· Oversee undergraduate students in successful completion of assigned tasks.
Basic Qualifications
Education Requirements
· A Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Immunology, or Biology, or an equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Experience Requirements
· A minimum of 1 year of experience working in a microbiology or immunology
laboratory or a related field.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
·
Skilled in each of the following:
o General microbiologic techniques, such as culture, storage, and safe handling of
pathogenic agents.
o Gathering, recording, and analyzing of experimental data.
o Data analysis and presentation software, such as Excel, Adobe Illustrator, ImageJ,
Prism, Powerpoint.
o Ability to effectively prioritize projects to consistently meet deadlines.
o Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
o Attention to detail and accuracy.
Desired Qualifications
Highly Desirable
· Skilled ineach of the following:
o Standard molecular techniques, including PCR, qRT-PCR,
plasmid purification, bacterial transformation, agarose gel electrophoresis,
restriction enzyme analyses, immunoblotting, and ELISA.
o Handling infectious animal and/or human tissues.
o Standard protein analysis techniques: Protein quantification, protein gel electrophoresis,
immunoblotting.
o Mammalian cell culture and sterile techniques.
o Bacterial cloning techniques including construction of gene knock-outs and expression
constructs.
o Widefield, epifluorescence, and
confocal imaging techniques, and image
analysis.
o Basic programming, in particular in Matlab and R.
o Statistical analysis for biological sciences.
Department Contact for Questions
Salary $37,070-$45,000 commensurate with years of experience. To apply, please submit (i) a letter of application, (ii) a full CV, (iii) a brief statement of research interests, and (iv) contact information for three references electronically to https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/21519 . Review of applications will start 2/26/24 and will continue until the position is filled. Start date is approximately 3/26/24. Inquiries about the position can be directed to Shana Wigington at [email protected].
Additional Qualifications
Salary and Rank
Special Instructions
For Best Consideration Date 02/26/2024
Expected Start Date 03/26/2024
Posting/OAA # IU-100677-2023

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