Research Assistant - Immunology

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Provide support for the general operations of the diagnostic and research divisions of the VA Diagnostic Immunology Lab. Support includes conducting high complexity Lab Developed Tests (LDTs), collecting and analyzing results and performing operational duties associated with the laboratory (bench and field). Key areas of responsibilities include conducting testing of human samples, collecting, analyzing and summarizing data, preparing reports, administrative and project management, facilities and equipment management, and supervision/staffing.

• Perform research activities in the VA Diagnostic Immunology Lab.
• Research literature as requested.
• Adapt and perform protocols from the literature.
• Critically review literature for the purposes of furthering the research and developing new hypotheses in conjunction with the principal investigator.

• Perform basic and complex procedures and techniques as outlined in laboratory protocols, assure fidelity to protocols, may propose modifications to protocols and/or assist in the design of new protocols.
• Perform cytotoxicity assays. Use 51-Cr-release assays to examine natural killer (NK) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity.
• Examine augmentation of cytotoxicity by short- and long-term culture with various cytokines or cells.
• Perform proliferation assays. Use 3H-labelled thymidine to assess the response of T lymphocytes to various mitogens and antigens.
• Understand the clinical tests performed and respond to questions from ordering physicians.
• Facilitate the collection of patient samples from clinical blood draw (phlebotomy) areas and from inpatient floors.
• Interact with ordering physicians and phlebotomy teams at the University of Iowa and VA in a collegial and professional manner.
• Travel between the University of Iowa and VA to collect samples.
• Maintain adequate knowledge of basic tissue culture techniques.
• Perform sterile technique in a tissue culture hood, maintain cell lines in vitro, and formulate and prepare required media for normal and transformed cells.
• Maintain adequate knowledge of tissue culture techniques of lymphocyte function.
• Purify lymphocyte subsets using differential centrifugation techniques, dispense lymphocytes and immunologic reagents into microtiter culture plates for proliferation and differentiation assays, and harvest cell cultures for readouts of cell proliferation and differentiation.
• Perform LUMINEX and bioassays for measuring cytokine levels in various samples including human samples.
• Stimulate lymphocytes with various agents for various periods of time followed by examining the supernatant for cytokine levels using LUMINEX and bioassays.
• Process and stain cells for flow cytometry analysis.
• Process and stain cells with fluorochrome-tagged antibodies for single and multiple color surface marker analysis.
• Run these samples on flow cytometry instruments and analyze the data.
• Perform the above tests on clinical samples obtained from patients.
• Prepare and follow test protocols according to clinical standards.
• Obtain and prepare blood and lymphocytes from patients and appropriate controls.
• Perform designated tests on these clinical samples.
• Troubleshoot, analyze, and develop modifications to protocols.
• Perform complex techniques per protocol.
• Monitor, test and evaluate current procedures.
• Adhere to laboratory safety requirements. Understand and adhere to Universal Precaution Procedures in work with human material.
• Attend required meetings on laboratory safety procedures.
• Identify and adhere to Quality Assurance practices to maintain validity and integrity of research data. Employee must initially pass the required proficiency tests and routinely pass the proficiency tests every six months.
• Apply new methods/theories.

• Calculate the obtained data and prepare standard forms for clinical reports.
• Collect, record, and consolidate data as directed by the Principal Investigator.
• Maintain accurate and accessible records per the requirements for certification by the College of American Pathologists (C.A.P.), or the Joint Commission, or the FDA regarding high complexity Lab Developed Tests (LDTs). These include records of all cell cultures, lymphocyte separations, microtiter culture setups, proliferation and differentiation assays, antibody purification, flow cytometric analyses, LUMINEX determinations, data obtained and reports of clinical samples.
• Ensure that laboratory records of subjects are maintained in a confidential and secure manner.
• Develop and implement procedures for monitoring data integrity.
• Assist in the design of manuals and forms.
• Assist in preparing publications.
• May contribute to the technical writing of papers, manuscripts, and published materials as evidenced by documented recognition.
• Present results/findings…