Senior Research Assistant

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $19.32 per hour, 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 under general supervision, the Senior Research Assistant 1 will carry out research projects according to specific instruction. The senior research assistant will be responsible for contributing to the daily function of the laboratory, including the organization, performance, and analysis of molecular biology and cell-based experiments, maintenance of mouse colonies used in models of cardiac arrest and collection of tissues after surgery, assisting senior lab staff and trainees, maintenance of personal laboratory trainings and certifications, and lab-wide regulatory compliance.

Research will be conducted at both the Case Western Reserve University Wolstein Research Building and the research laboratories of the Veterans Administration Hospital Campus in University Circle. This position will work with animals.

• Carry out experiments according to specific instructions. Assist with planning experiments. Perform molecular biology and basic science experiments (i.e. Western blotting, PCR, flow cytometry, microscopy) based on cell culture and animal tissues. Maintain cell culture and support senior scientist and principal investigator experiments. (40%)
• Conduct a series of experiments to supply scientific information as part of a larger project. May conduct specific experiments and tasks independently. Organize samples and analyze data in order to contribute to larger projects. Provide interpretation of data and suggest potential improvements to techniques and procedures. This includes evaluation of and interpretation of molecular and microscopy experiments requiring use of excel and graphpad software suites.
  
  (20%)
• Collaborate with lab staff and principal investigator to maintain animal colonies and assist with tissue collection. Must handle mice and conduct basic animal husbandry, assist with surgical planning and tissue collection, and aid in animal genotyping. (15%)
• Manage supplies of the lab, including inventory and submitting orders as requested. Assist with inventory and purchasing under guidance of senior scientist and principal investigator. (10%)

• Maintain certain equipment and/or facilities, including basic lab organization and troubleshooting of lab equipment. (5%)
• May assist in training new staff and students on lab operations and maintenance; direct the work of students and help support undergraduate compliance and research efforts. (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned; assist with sample shipping and receiving and collaboration with other laboratories. (5%)

Department:
Frequent contact with principal investigator and lab members, may work with other faculty for collaboration of research projects. Frequent contact with administrative staff to exchange information.

University:
Regular contact with other labs for collaboration; regular contact with the Animal Resource Center and other departments to exchange information.

External:
Frequent contact with supply vendors, other institutions, and funding agencies, etc. to exchange information.

Students:
Regular contact with undergraduate and graduate student employees working on research projects in the lab.

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees. May assist in training new staff and direct the work of undergraduate students.

Education/

Experience:

Bachelor's degree and 6 months of related experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 1 year of experience required.

• Knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures including molecular biology experience with familiarity in fluorescence microscopy,…