Research Assistant - MCBS

Research Assistant - MCBS Contract Title

Research Assistant

Non‑exempt

The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine (SoM) is the only medical school in the CUNY system. Our innovative curriculum allows students to complete both their undergraduate Bachelor of Science (BS) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees in seven years. CUNY SoM graduated its first MD class in 2020. In addition, the CUNY SoM offers a 28‑month Physician Assistant (PA) program to prepare health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision.

Our mission is
1) to provide access to medical education to talented youth from historically underrepresented in backgrounds in medicine and to develop health professionals committed to practicing in under‑served communities and
2) to perform innovative research in community health and biomedicine.

The Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences (MCBS) was formed through the merger of several basic science departments and represents one of the four departments in the school (Community Health and Social Medicine, Medical Education, and Clinical Medicine). The department plays a critical role in our mission‑driven BS/MD program and Physician Assistant program through the teaching of the basic science curriculum and by conducting extramurally funded research.

The research agenda of the current members of the department is centered on neuroscience, microbiology and immunology, cardiovascular disease, and oncology.

The Mallikaratchy laboratory is seeking a research assistant with a specific focus on investigating the applicability of aptameric scaffolds in designing synthetic immunological modulators and other cellular modulators. The Mallikaratchy laboratory is a chemical biology and molecular targeting lab that apply multiple disciplinary approaches inclusive of SELEX technologies, bioinformatics, molecular and cell biology, molecular design, DNA nanotechnology, organic synthesis, immunology, and preclinical studies in collaboration with investigators at various institutions to discover novel functional synthetic nucleic acid ligands capable of modulating fundamental interactions pertaining to the immune system.

The current team of highly interdisciplinary researchers consists of biochemists, organic and material chemists, and molecular biologists.

• Conduct literature reviews and identify synthetic pathways for modified nucleic acid bases (DNA and RNA)
• Optimize synthesis protocols and scale‑up procedures for producing modified RNA and DNA molecules
• Supervise Sophie Davis and/or CCNY students in bench work and laboratory techniques
• Collect, record, and analyze experimental data using basic statistical methods
• Collaborate with multiple research teams on innovative and interdisciplinary projects
• Provide regular progress updates and discuss results with the Principal Investigator
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and manuscripts, with potential for first‑and/or co‑authorship on publications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience relevant to the research being performed.

• Must be a current CUNY or RFCUNY Employee
• Ph.D. or related terminal degree.
• Synthetic organic chemistry experience
• Expertise in analytical methods such as HPLC, LC and column chromatography, LC‑MS and NMR methods
• Experience with handling DNA/RNA synthesizer
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently, and willingness to learn new skills
• Strong organization and communication skills

Salary Range: $47,063 - $63,884

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well‑being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic…