Research Assistant III

Montana State University's Center for Biofilm Engineering has been a world leader in biofilm research for more than 25 years. A prestigious 11-year National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center grant awarded in 1990 paved the way for the CBE's influence in the emerging field of biofilm research. The Center's three-fold emphasis in research, education, and industry continues to produce results and exciting opportunities for students, staff, and faculty-as well as industrial partners.

In the years since the end of the NSF-ERC grant, the CBE has relied on three main sources of funding. CBE researchers continue to be awarded competitive grants from a variety of sources including DoE, EPA, NSF, NIH, NASA, INL, the State of Montana. The CBE's Industrial Associates program provides key support for CBE research and operations, as well as valuable input that keeps CBE research relevant.

The prospective employee will be responsible for pursuing funding sources for the CBE and for creating/maintaining liaisons with prospective industrial backers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Review and edit work plans for industry funded projects, primarily focused on healthcare applications.
Provide labor estimates and project planning support.
Design, conduct, and modify experiments as needed to address unexpected circumstances or results.
Analyze experimental data and prepare technical reports.
Operate and maintain biofilm reactor systems.
Work with Risk Group 2 pathogens, human and animal cells and tissues, and bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, and urine, in accordance with laboratory safety protocols.
Train, mentor, and supervise undergraduate research assistants.
Provide quality assurance and quality control oversight for laboratory activities.
Maintain laboratory inventory, including materials, supplies, and equipment.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, Biomedical Science, or related field.

Experience working in a Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory.
Knowledge of microbiological techniques.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Experience working with microbial biofilms and biofilm reactor systems.
Healthcare experience.
Knowledge of quality control/quality assurance procedures.

The Successful Candidate Will

Review and edit work plans.
Provide labor estimates.
Designing and conducting experiments.
Analyze data
Amend experiments to address unusual circumstances or results.
Prepare reports.
Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants.
Provide quality assurance/quality control oversight
Maintain the laboratory inventory of materials and supplies.

Position

Special Requirements /Additional Information

Support project deadlines and operational needs, which may require work on weekends and holidays.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?
Yes