Research Specialist- IL- Precision Medicine

Overview

The Research Specialist- IL
- Precision Medicine role at Midwestern University supports the He Laboratory on an NIH-funded project under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI). The successful candidate will contribute to design and execution of research experiments, data collection and analysis, and the preparation of figures, presentations, and manuscripts based on the research findings.

• Competently perform standard research procedures in biochemical analysis (e.g., Western blotting, qRT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry) under the supervision of the PI.
• Maintain transgenic mice; proficient in handling mice, administering drugs, behavioral testing, and tissue dissection & harvesting under the supervision of the PI.
• Provide direction and guidance to students conducting research in the lab.
• Assist PI with troubleshooting and problem-solving for technical issues.
• Assist in the development of new protocols.
• Graph and analyze data.
• Perform literature searches for protocols and approaches.
• Keep an accurate lab notebook.
• Maintain cleanliness, repair, and organization of the lab.
• Recordkeeping, maintenance and disposal associated with lab equipment and chemicals.
• Adhere to laboratory safety procedures.
• Contribute to abstract submissions and poster preparation.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

A bachelor’s degree in a biological sciences related field with at least 3-5 years of relevant research experience, or a research thesis-based Master’s degree in a biological sciences related field with at least 2 years’ full-time relevant laboratory work experience, is required. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to perform independent experiments with some supervision, be flexible and willing to occasionally work outside regular hours, and be capable of working with mice.

Preferred qualifications include research experience in pain-related in vivo studies and experience with optogenetics, chemo genetics, or stereotaxic microinjections.

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required. Experience with Statistics, Graphing and Imaging software is preferred.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This individual is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.

This individual is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel crouch or crawl, taste or smell. This individual is frequently required to lift up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Close and distance vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, ability to distinguish depth and shades of grey scale.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts, be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electric shock, radiation and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws and regulation.

Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.