"Life Sciences Research Associate - Pronociceptive Immune Responses"

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR) is seeking a full-time Life Sciences Research Associate. The Research Associate will conduct research on innate and adaptive pronociceptive immune responses to tissue trauma, including fracture, spinal disk injury, and osteoarthritic cartilage damage. Additional experiments will utilize autoantibodies from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients, low back pain patients, and osteoarthritis patients to investigate the presence or absence of pronociceptive autoantibodies in chronic pain states before and after therapeutic interventions and to identify the neuroinflammatory mechanisms mediating the pronociceptive effects of these human autoantibodies.

BENEFITS

PAVIR offers health, dental and vision insurance, 14 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick pay policies, a 401(k) with a fully vested 6% company match and 3% profit share, a wellness program, commuter benefits, and professional development training. Plus, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance are covered.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct experiments in rodents in vivo and in vitro;
• Assist and supervise other researchers in laboratory with training and data analysis methods;
• Analyze data from various ongoing experiments in laboratory;
• Report research results in meetings;
• Assist in the development of experimental protocols;
• Order supplies and organize research schedules and laboratory space.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required: Ph.D. or M.D. (or equivalent experience);
• At least 1-2 years of prior research experience in biology, cell biology, molecular biology or a related discipline;
• Desired: Degree in biology, cell biology, molecular biology or a related discipline;
• Biology and basic medicine courses and extensive experience in experiments;
• At least 3 years of research experience;
• Animal surgery skills, behavioral tests, vascular procedures;
• Statistical and analytical skills;
• Effective communication skills for teaching researchers techniques and data interpretation;
• Advanced knowledge of scientific research methodology;
• Ability to troubleshoot experiments as necessary;
• Experimental calendar, record keeping, and documentation capabilities;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Scientific writing skills and demonstrated capacity to drive first author publications;
• Knowledge of safe handling/storage of biohazardous chemicals & bloodborne pathogens;
• Solid training in analytical skills, including routine calculations of dilution factors and solution concentrations as well as using Excel and other programs for data calculation and analysis;
• Knowledge of research procedures and protocols gained through education or experience;
• Experience in a variety of research techniques/methods and follow-up data collection;
• Knowledge of laboratory safety rules and procedures;
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), including public speaking skills;
• Ability to work independently and proactively;
• Ability to work within a team context and collaborate with other lab personnel.

About Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR): PAVIR engages in the administration of funds and providing support for the conduct of research at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) to find new and improved ways to combat human disease and help people with disabilities. PAVIR works with more than 160 talented medical scientists who have active appointments with VAPAHCS and maintain academic appointments with Stanford University.