Research Assistant ; Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory

Research Assistant I (Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory)

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator(s) or designated laboratory supervisor, the employee shall perform delegated duties in support of infectious diseases research conducted within a Biosafety Level (BSL-2) laboratory. The employee is required to adhere strictly to all institutional, regulatory, and laboratory policies governing safety, compliance, and research integrity.

The following responsibilities are considered essential functions of this position and are mandatory requirements of employment:

• Research Support and Technical Duties:
  Perform laboratory research procedures and experimental protocols as assigned. Assist in the preparation, processing, handling, and analysis of biological specimens and research materials. Accurately record experimental data, observations, and procedures in accordance with laboratory standards and institutional policies. Support ongoing research projects through execution of established methods and protocols.
• Laboratory Equipment and Instrumentation:
  Properly operate, maintain, calibrate, and store laboratory instruments and equipment. Immediately report equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, or procedural deviations to the laboratory supervisor. Follow all training requirements prior to operating laboratory equipment.
• Compliance with Biosafety and Regulatory Requirements:
  Strictly comply with all biosafety, biosecurity, and institutional safety policies, including BSL-2 containment procedures. Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, institutional, and laboratory regulations, including but not limited to OSHA, CDC/NIH biosafety guidelines, and institutional Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) policies. Properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow required safety protocols at all times.
• Laboratory Conduct and Professional Responsibilities:
  Work independently and responsibly under supervisory direction. Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, and operational readiness. Protect the integrity, confidentiality, and security of research materials, data, and laboratory resources. Complete all required safety, compliance, and laboratory training prior to performing assigned duties and maintain active certification status as required.
• Work Schedule and Availability Requirements:
  The employee is required to maintain a flexible schedule based on experimental needs. This position requires availability outside of standard business hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends, for the purpose of time-sensitive sample collection, monitoring experiments, or maintaining research continuity.
• Physical and Environmental Requirements:
  The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of this position safely and effectively. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
  Ability to work safely in a BSL-2 laboratory environment with infectious agents. Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Ability to use hands for fine motor tasks, including pipetting, handling specimens, and operating laboratory equipment. Ability to lift and move laboratory supplies and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including gloves, lab coat, eye protection, and respiratory protection if required.
  
  Ability to perform repetitive laboratory tasks requiring manual dexterity.

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Microbiology, Biology, or related life sciences field.
2. Demonstrated research experience in a higher education setting.
3. Experience with infectious diseases protocols.
4. Demonstrated organizational skills.
5. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
6. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
7. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations. 8. U.S. Citizenship (to access satellite lab space on Providence Veterans Affairs Campus).

EEO Statement: URI is unwavering in its commitment to equal opportunity, community, equity, and diversity. In furtherance of its mission to serve and support all learners as the state's public flagship university, URI continues to expand efforts to recruit and retain a broadly representative workforce as well as to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of those efforts. All employment decisions, including hiring, are made without regard to protected status.

Qualified individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the URI benefits office at . For TTY assistance, contact R.I. Relay Services at 711.