"Research Specialist- IL- Precision Medicine"

Job Details

Summary:

The Research Specialist provides essential research support to the He Laboratory on an NIH-funded project under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI). The successful candidate will contribute to the design and execution of research experiments, data collection and analysis, and the preparation of figures, presentations, and manuscripts based on the research findings. This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Competently performs standard research procedures in biochemical analysis (e.g., Western blotting, qRT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry) under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI).
• Maintain transgenic mice, proficient in handling mice and performing drug administration, behavioral testing, and tissue dissection & harvesting under the supervision of the PI.
• Provides direction and guidance to students conducting research in the lab
• Assists PI with trouble-shooting and problem-solving solutions to technical problems
• Assists in the development of new protocols
• Graphs and analyzes data
• Performs literature searches for protocols and approaches
• Keeps an accurate lab notebook
• Responsible for maintaining cleanliness, repair, and organization of lab
• Responsible for recordkeeping, maintenance and disposal associated with lab equipment and chemicals
• Adheres to laboratory safety procedures
• Contributes to abstract submissions and poster preparation

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

A bachelor’s degree in a biological sciences related field with at least 3-5 years of relevant research experience, or a research thesis-based Master’s degree in a biological sciences related field with at least 2 years’ full-time relevant laboratory work experience, is required. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to perform independent experiments with some supervision, be flexible and willing to occasionally work outside regular hours, and be capable of working with mice. Preferred qualifications include research experience in pain-related in vivo studies and experience with optogenetics, chemogenetics, or stereotaxic microinjections.

Computer Skills:

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required. Experience with Statistics, Graphing and Imaging software is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This individual is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. This individual is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel crouch or crawl, taste or smell. This individual is frequently required to lift up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Close and distance vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, ability to distinguish depth and shades of grey scale.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts, be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electric shock, radiation and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.