Research Assistant

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $52,705 and $66,672, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data. Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, the Research Assistant 4 will coordinate major activities in medical and related technical areas, working with other staff members in the Tissue Resources Core (TRC) to primarily perform tissue acquisition and data entry for human tissue procurement services. Discarded human tissue from surgery is systematically acquired and distributed to medical researchers located on the Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center campus and other academic and commercial institutions throughout the United States.

Investigators are highly dependent on this tissue service to obtain samples for biomedical research. The major objectives related to this position are to:
1) participate in the procurement, preparation, and distribution of requested tissue samples to both internal and external researchers;
2) enter patient and biospecimen information into a variety of databases used by the Tissue Resources Core with high accuracy; and
3) obtain and de-identify corresponding pathology reports for dissemination with samples. The research assistant will be involved in several major activities being conducted in the core laboratory.

• Coordinate major activities of laboratory/research with the Tissue Resources Core and University Hospitals surgical pathology staff to obtain discarded human tissue for distribution to researchers. Perform the most complex quantitative analytical procedures. Collect tissues from the frozen section room, cutting room, and autopsy suite at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Manage the dispatch and prompt retrieval of specimen carriers from operating rooms, ensuring efficient transport and delivery of carriers to the Surgical Pathology department for examination.
  
  Protected Health Information (PHI) is obtained when reviewing surgical schedules, performing the collection of tissues, and accessing surgical pathology reports. Patient records are highly confidential, and release of any patient information requires special Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals. Assist in developing procedures, coordinate information with others as needed. Provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects.
  
  Co-author research projects. (30%)
• Manage research results, keep detailed and highly accurate records in the laboratory. Produce accurate and complete donor and biospecimen records; these records are printed by hand onto authorization forms and entered into various secure databases. Enter information daily into a bioscpecimen management software program (Lab Matrix). Manage the printing and de-identifying of surgical pathology and autopsy reports in a timely manner.
  
  (25%)
• Coordinate and maintain records of experiments. Maintenance of strict patient confidentiality is a critical aspect of the job for all individuals working in the Tissue Resources Core. Training on Human Subjects Research and the handling of patient-related information is provided and required to comply with IRB and HIPAA regulations. May supervise research assistants and technicians; teach or instruct others in research techniques.
  
  Organize, label, and file quality control H&E slides for collected research samples and paraffin block inventory. Organize, label, and keep detailed records of tissue blocks and frozen tissues stored in liquid nitrogen freezers. Identify researchers who are requesting a particular type of tissue, assign tissues on a rotating basis within a defined prioritization scheme, contact laboratories to confirm that a researcher can accept a sample, and assist in sample packaging and distribution.
  
  (30%)

• Maintain test equipment utilized in experiments. Perform routine lab maintenance, including cleaning equipment and lab ware; dispose of biohazardous waste. Manage organization of biospecimen freezers and order liquid nitrogen. (5%)
• Oversee the ordering of laboratory supplies. Maintain stock reagents, supplies, and inventory used in the facility for tissue procurement, histology, and immunohistochemistry assays as needed for certain experiments. (5%)
• Manage the distribution of annual questionnaires, periodic surveys, and flyers. Also provide help with mass mailings conducted for marketing purposes. (2.5%)
• Responsible for covering tissue procurement and other lab activities while other employees are taking vacation or…