Research Associate - Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics

Research Associate
- Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Research Associate 1 in Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics laboratory.

The Research Associate provides scientific and technical support for basic, translational, and clinical research conducted within the Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Laboratory. Responsibilities include performing laboratory experiments, processing biological specimens, supporting clinical research activities, analyzing molecular and biological data, and assisting with the preparation of manuscripts, grant proposals, and scientific presentations. The incumbent works collaboratively with investigators and research staff to advance studies focused on molecular imaging, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic development while maintaining compliance with institutional, regulatory, and laboratory quality standards.

Major Responsibilities

• Support clinical and translational research studies by assisting with participant recruitment, informed consent, protocol implementation, regulatory compliance, and accurate documentation of study activities.
• Perform laboratory research activities, including blood and tissue collection, sample processing and preservation, and quality control procedures.
• Conduct bioinformatics analyses of next-generation sequencing (NGS), transcriptomics, and other omics datasets to support biomarker discovery and translational research objectives.
• Develop, maintain, and apply integrative multi-omic computational workflows using R, Python, Linux, and other bioinformatics tools to analyze, visualize, and interpret biological and clinical data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary investigators on tracer studies, proteomics, metabolomics, and other translational research projects.
• Prepare publication-quality figures, data visualizations, manuscripts, grant materials, and scientific presentations while maintaining accurate research records and documentation.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, contribute to experimental design and data interpretation, and remain current with emerging laboratory and computational methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience with molecular biology and wet laboratory techniques, including cell culture, nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, library preparation, blood and tissue processing, or related laboratory methods.
• Experience analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS), transcriptomics, or other omics datasets using established bioinformatics and statistical methods.
• Proficiency in R and/or Python to perform data analysis, visualization, and reproducible computational workflows.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary translational research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences, Computational Biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience with biomarker discovery, multi-omic integration, or translational biomedical research.
• Experience with proteomics, metabolomics, spatial biology, multiplex imaging, or image analysis software.
• Experience working in an NIH-funded academic or biomedical research laboratory.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.

Additional

Job Description:

Position is 30 hours per week and is eligible for state benefits and retirement.

Special Instructions:
Interested candidates should include a resume and a list of three (3) professional references to the online application. Professional references should be the name,…