Research Associate - Comprehensive Cancer Center

About the lab: The Blair lab focuses on novel immunotherapeutics for pancreatic adenocarcinoma with a particular interest in innate immunity, STING signaling, synergistic effects of radiation and the plasticity of tumor stroma. We focus on rational combinations of agents that target the tumor microenvironment to increase effector immune cell infiltration and tumor-eradicating function. The lab focuses on preclinical mouse models, but supplements this with in vitro cell work to understand changes in signaling and expression, as well as analysis of treated human tissue from clinical trials leveraging our robust tissue biobank. Long term goals are to expand the clinical trial opportunities at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Our current projects center around leveraging a novel nanoparticle agent that targets the STING pathway to up regulate an otherwise dampened immune response in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

We are in search of a Research Associate who designs, executes and manages research projects investigating the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer in a basic and translational biological/health science research laboratory in the Department of Surgery. This person will collaborate with principal investigator (PI) to develop and implement goals and objectives of studies.

Duties Include:

• Conceptualizes, designs and executes laboratory experiments
• Plans and executes advanced molecular and cellular techniques: including transcriptomics, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, immune cell isolation and functional analysis
• Plans, coordinates and oversees processing and analysis of data
• Analyzes and interprets research data
• Develops and implements new and/or revised research methodology and techniques
• Plans and tests experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods
• Develops and establishes research controls, criteria and standards
• Performs critical analysis of literature relevant to research
• Collaborates with principal investigator to write and prepare research papers and manuscripts for publication and presentation at national and conferences and workshops, and in the writing of project reports, articles and other documents
• Attends and presents research results at national and international scientific conferences, workshops and seminars
• Monitors expenses
• Monitors and enforces laboratory safety procedures to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, as well as local, state and federal regulations, including proper disposal and maintenance of regulated materials; trains and/or supervises research staff
• Assists with management of daily operations of the laboratory
• Participates in developing and implementing laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safety Manual
• Assists with procurement of lab supplies and equipment
• Negotiates and oversees equipment service contracts and repairs.

Preferred Skills and Expertise:

• Flow cytometry
• Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry
• Animal husbandry
• Familiarity or teachability for murine techniques commonly used in our lab include subcutaneous tumor models, surgical orthotopic pancreatic implantation, guided small animal irradiation, ultrasound assessment of pancreatic tumor volume, ultrasound guided tumor injection
• Familiarity or teachability for animal necropsy, tissue processing and down-stream applications of treated tissue: cell isolation, western blot, RTPCR, IHC, ELISA etc

The successful candidate will be driven, creative and team-oriented. We are seeking individuals who are an efficient experimentalist, able to lead an interdisciplinary research project, and be a good lab and team member. Effective communication skills are required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required; 3 years of relevant experience required with Associate's Degree, or 1 years of relevant experience required with Bachelor's Degree.

Ability to translate, adapt and apply academic and/or practical knowledge in the conduct of biological/health science research is required. Experience in a biological/health science research capacity is preferred.

Function: Research and Scholarship

Sub Function: Research

Career Band: S

Career Level: S1