Research Associate

Job Description

Kansas City University is seeking a Research Associate to work in the Dybedal Research Center within its Kansas City campus. The position is institutionally funded and is among the four research staff ranks at Kansas City University. This role requires a significant degree of autonomy, leadership, and analytical depth. The Research Associate will independently conduct experimental work, analyze research data, and contribute to scientific publications and presentations. The ideal candidate will bring strong academic training, practical research experience, and proven project management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct experiments, analyze data, support manuscript and poster development, and perform literature reviews and other duties as assigned
• Manage day-to-day operations of the laboratory, including oversight of research students, equipment management, and procurement
• Implement experimental designs aligned with the lab's research objectives and ensure research integrity and protocol adherence
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment in conducting and interpreting research
• Analyze complex data sets and draw informed conclusions to support research goals
• Collaborate with faculty and staff in writing scientific manuscripts, abstracts, and grant proposals
• Assist in the planning and execution of scholarly projects from conception to completion
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned projects, tracking progress towards milestones and escalating scientific or operational issues to faculty as needed
• Maintain clear, accurate records of experimental results and ensure proper documentation

Supportive Functions:

• Perform administrative tasks such as recordkeeping, document preparation, and filing
• Participate in the development of departmental goals, systems, and procedures
• Engage actively in team meetings, planning sessions, and university-wide initiatives
• This role typically does not serve as a co-investigator or principal investigator on grants

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in biomedical sciences or a related field, or bachelor's degree plus at least 2 years of equivalent professional research experience
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental design, data collection and analysis, and scientific communication
• Proven ability to manage research projects and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including training and overseeing student researchers and junior research staff
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory protocols, research methodologies, and compliance standards
• Excellent analytical thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in scientific software and standard office applications
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead and mentor others
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple tasks and deadlines independently
• The ideal candidate will have experience in molecular biology and cell biology techniques, protein biochemistry, and/or animal handling. Experience with fluorescence microscopy, intracellular imaging, and protein purification and protein assays is preferred