Research Assistant – Internal Medicine; Gastroenterology

Job Description Summary

The Research Assistant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology will support Dr. Irina Tikhanovich in the lab research program investigating mechanisms of liver disease. The position involves a range of technical duties, including conducting biochemical and other laboratory tests and experiments to gather data for research purposes.

• Assist with biochemical and other research laboratory tests, experiments, and determinations to support ongoing research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory staff.
• Assist in the collection, organization, and documentation of experimental results for review and interpretation by senior research personnel.
• Confer with the Principal Investigator and/or senior laboratory staff to receive work assignments and guidance on experimental procedures.
• Assist with reviewing scientific literature, including journals, abstracts, and laboratory manuals, to support ongoing research projects.
• Perform routine and standardized laboratory procedures and support daily laboratory operations, including inventory management, supply ordering, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks in accordance with institutional and funding agency guidelines.
• Maintain laboratory supplies, reagents, and chemicals required for daily research activities.
• Assist with specimen processing, biobanking, and shipment coordination following established protocols.
• Participate in collaborative laboratory activities with other research laboratories at KUMC as assigned.
• Perform routine laboratory techniques under supervision, including PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, primary cell isolation, and general tissue culture, following established protocols.
• Perform experiments, analyze data, document findings, and draw preliminary conclusions from experimental results.
• Collaborate with the principal investigator to design and perform experiments, accommodating specific equipment needs and performing data analyses and reporting.

• Work Experience: Four years of relevant experience, or equivalent educational experience on a year-to-year basis.
• Laboratory
  
  Experience:
  
  One year of laboratory experience, which may include relevant coursework, academic training, or research lab exposure.

• Three years of direct laboratory experience in basic cell and molecular biology methods such as DNA/RNA manipulation, PCR, qPCR, ELISA, immunodetection (IHC/IF/western blotting), immunoprecipitation, microscopy, and CRISPRs/siRNA/shRNA.
• Experience working with rodents.

• Organization
• Communication
• Attention to detail
• Computer skills

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Coverage begins on day one for health, dental, and vision insurance and includes health expense accounts with generous employer contributions if the employee participates in a qualifying health plan. Employer-paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and various additional voluntary insurance plans are available. Paid time off, including vacation and sick, begins accruing upon hire, plus ten paid holidays. One paid discretionary day is available after six months of employment, and paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave is available after 12 months of employment.

A retirement program with a generous employer contribution and additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b) are available.

Regular

Full time

Hourly

$22.88 - $33.17 (Minimum $22.88, Midpoint $28.03, Maximum $33.17)

The University of Kansas Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, age, protected veteran or disability status, marital status, parental status, or genetic information.