"Research Assistant - Department of Pharmacology"

Job Details

Research Assistant - Department of Pharmacology
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant - Department of Pharmacology at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Job Purpose:
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, provide scientific and technical assistance to complete laboratory based, clinical or population science research. May assist in writing research protocols and in manuscript preparation. Design and perform research protocols independently or as directed through training in more difficult or specialized procedures to meet the needs of the research protocol.
Essential Functions:
Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research. Design and perform experiments, recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates. Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines. Assist staff with experiments/research protocols as required. Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.
Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data. Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.
Assist principal investigator with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data to be used in preparing and presenting presentations for professional, scientific and academic conferences and submittal to academic and scholarly peer-reviewed journals.
Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required. Order and organize required research supplies and records. Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Unique duties:
The Sujkowski Laboratory seeks a highly motivated, full-time Research Assistant interested in pursuing medical school or graduate training in biomedical sciences. This position is ideal for recent graduates seeking 1–2 years of immersive research experience before advanced training. Our lab investigates how exercise and stress signaling regulate muscle function and healthy aging through an integrated research program combining mechanistic studies in Drosophila melanogaster with human clinical exercise research. The Research Assistant will contribute meaningfully to both arms of the lab’s work and gain hands-on experience in translational biomedical research. A minimum one-year commitment is required; a two-year commitment is strongly preferred. Research Responsibilities | Mechanistic Laboratory Research: Maintain and manage Drosophila stocks and perform genetic crosses. Coordinate multiple parallel experiments involving large fly populations (e.g., lifespan and longitudinal exercise studies). Track genotypes, experimental timelines, and datasets with high accuracy. Perform molecular and biochemical assays with training. Maintain detailed experimental logs to ensure rigor and reproducibility. Analyze data and prepare figures for lab meetings, abstracts, and manuscripts. Contribute to troubleshooting and experimental planning. Clinical Exercise Research: Assist with participant recruitment, intake, and screening. Support supervised study visits, including phlebotomy, EKG acquisition, physiological measurements, and exercise testing. Maintain accurate and compliant study documentation. Interact professionally and ethically with research participants. Ensure adherence to IRB-approved protocols and regulatory standards.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study, preferred. Requires advanced knowledge predominantly intellectual in character in a field of science or learning acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.
Experience: Entry level (less that a year of job-related experience)
Experience performing basic research techniques or interacting with human subjects, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to work independently. Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings and data in reports and spreadsheets and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Microsoft office software skills.
Preferred qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in biology, physiology, exercise science, neuroscience, biochemistry, or related fields. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Interested in translational biomedical research and future medical or graduate training. Prior laboratory research experience (course-based or independent). Experience with human subjects research, phlebotomy, EKG, or exercise physiology testing. Familiarity with data analysis software (e.g., Excel, Prism, ImageJ).
School/College/Division:
H06 - School of Medicine
Primary department:
H0602 - Pharmacology
Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Research

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: TBD
• Salary hire maximum: TBD

Working conditions:
Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/ or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.