"Research Assistant (Gap Year) - Neurology"

Position Summary

WashU Medicine, Department of Neurology, has an opening for a Research Assistant (Gap year) to join the NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center (NGI). This position is ideally suited for individuals that have recently graduated and are looking to gain research experience prior to pursuing a PhD or Industry position. The successful candidate will be involved in projects that handle big-data research, bundling genetics, multi-omics, biomarker, clinical, and histopathological data, to better understand Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Overall, this research will contribute importantly to the discovery of novel risk genes, steer basic research and drug development, and advance personalized medicine.

Assists with various aspects of the research process in a laboratory setting under the direction of the PI and/or experienced laboratory personnel in order to gain experience to further future career opportunities. Guided activities may include literature review and initial research to identify experimental opportunities, experimental design, execution of experiments and troubleshooting, collection and analysis of data, and/or communication/presentation of results. This role is well-suited for those interested in a gap year(s) where they will be spending time in a research lab acquiring new skills under the direction of the PI and/or experienced laboratory personnel.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the PI or lab members, performs projects, experiments, data collection, and data analysis.
• Designs experiments under guidance of PI or senior lab members.
• Performs data entry and maintains lab notebook.
• Receives mentorship for activities related to career goals and objectives (i.e., PhD or MD programs).
• Under supervision, drafts materials for manuscripts, presentations, and/or posters. May present results as directed by PI.
• Reviews literature related to relevant research.
• Learns lab functions helpful in running a lab (e.g., purchasing, explaining protocols to other lab members).
• Assists in developing procedures and guidelines for the lab.
• Assists with general lab upkeep, maintenance, and cleaning.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions
This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Equipment
Office equipment.
Lab equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses: No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

This position is time-limited up to no more than 3 years.

Preferred Qualifications

Skills: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Data Entry, Detail-Oriented, Laboratory Instrumentation, Research Labs, Software Program

Grade

R06-H

Salary Range

$16.92 - $26.44 / Hourly