Research Assistant 3

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 $46,035 and $58,234, 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.

POSITION OBJECTIVE
- Working under limited supervision, coordinate research work that focuses on microbial metabolomics, immune-microbiome crosstalk, and therapy resistance in cancer, with a strong emphasis on clinical translation and leveraging AI driven discovery with the goal to develop biomarkers and therapeutic strategies that meaningfully improve patient outcomes. The work is translational, leveraging clinical trials, patient samples, and mechanistic studies to build a microbiome-metabolite-based biomarker panel for predicting and targeting resistance to immunotherapy and targeted therapies.

This position will work with humans, mice, tissue and other biological samples. This position will work with animals.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate lab/research activities. Function as a key scientific member in a growing translational oncology laboratory. Plan, troubleshoot, and execute translational research while also helping establish core workflows for a new lab. Take ownership of some projects, collaborate with other team members on others, anticipate needs, and maintain momentum even when the principal investigator is attending clinical duties. After completing all training and credentialing requirements, Facilitate consenting patients, call patients, collect samples and process it in a time sensitive manner, maintain accurate documentation of consent and other clinical variables.
  
  Write and review IRB and IACUC protocols , follow their regulatory guidelines and training, Conduct all procedures associated with patient accrual to clinical studies, in a timely fashion. Process human and mice samples- blood, tissue, fecal pellets, single cell suspension. (30%)
• Work closely with the principal investigator and other team members in the lab. Translational research include understanding and performing analytic techniques to answer mechanistic questions including metabolomics (preferred), PCR, Western blot, flow cytometry, ELISA, microbiome sequencing. Perform mice studies including germ free and specific pathogen free mice--all aspects including but not limited to cell line culture, expansion., injection to mice, tumor size, oral gavages, euthanasia, tumor and tissue collection, mice breeding, weaning etc.
  
  Conduct experiments may include fecal microbiota transfer preparation. Maintain accurate and timely records of data and provide findings and recommendations to the principal investigator based on analysis. Support and coordinate the work of other lab members, ensure that the PI is kept informed of project progress, and uphold a culture of rigor, accountability, and scientific integrity. Co-author translational research projects under the supervision of principal investigator.
  
  Participate and if applicable lead in manuscript , protocol and grant writing, co-author research projects and provide data to the principal investigator for sponsor progress reports, manuscripts, grant and pilot applications. (25%)
• Carry out or lead complex research assignments of a non-routine nature. Assist the PI in and independently develop new techniques and protocols which may include (but not limited to) immunology, microbiome, metabolomics, microscopy, new methods to collect samples that ensure fidelity, reproducibility…