"Laboratory Research Assistant"

Job Description

The University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) has an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Research Assistant to support the laboratory of Dr. Djorde Atanackovic. The Lab Research Assistant will primarily process blood samples from patients receiving chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells (separate plasma, prepare PBMC). They will also analyze the patients' blood and other compartments of the body for the presence of CAR T cells using flow cytometry and ELISPOT and do relatively simple analyses, such as ELISA assays, under supervision.

The UMGCCC is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center which conducts innovative basic and clinical research that will impact the understanding and treatment of cancer around the world and seeks to provide state-of-the-art clinical care to cancer patients in Maryland and beyond. Private, foundation, and government sponsors provide funding to the Cancer Center to provide medical research treatment to cancer patients.

Benefits Information

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Primary Duties

• Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities such as: general housekeeping, wipe tests, ELISA assays, preparing solutions, media, stains, and buffers; cultures and specimens; autoradiograms and photomicrographs, executing biochemical procedures such as electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, and DNA extractions, etc.
• May perform advanced laboratory research activities such as: animal surgery, microscopy techniques, imaging techniques, recombinant DNA techniques, protein purification, and hybridizations, flow cytometry, ELISPOT, etc. May participate in the design of research studies.
• Compile and may analyze research data using various relevant computer software applications.
• Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations, and computer graphics for publication.
• Perform administrative duties such as: training and guiding students and/or other laboratory technicians; assisting in developing policies and procedures and/or methods for laboratory experimentation; and ordering supplies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or field of study related to the research of the laboratory.
Other: May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials and/or ionizing radiation.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.

Hiring Range: $48,500 - $52,000, commensurate with education and experience.