Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working under moderate supervision, perform research work in medical and related technical areas. The scope and key roles of the position are to order lab supplies and perform basic research work under the guidance of the principal investigator and/or senior research staffs in the lab and maintain records of experiments. The research assistant will assist with xenograft and orthotopic implants, colony breeding and maintenance, tumor burden measurement and post-mortem correlative studies on blood and tumor. The lab¿s research objective is to understand how pancreatic cancer is able to successfully adapt to the extremely harsh metabolic conditions that are present throughout the tumor microenvironment. This position will work with animals, specifically mice.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform research work in medical and related technical areas involves use of lab / research skills. Research work includes tissue culture; cell growth and death assays; DNA, RNA, and protein-related assays. Follow detailed instructions and guidelines from the principal investigator and/or senior research staff in the lab, or the established protocols in the lab for most experiments and techniques used for preclinical cancer research. (20%)
Conduct analysis of samples. Will collect human and murine cells cultured in vitro, and collect cancer and non-cancer tissues from mice; processing cell and tissue samples for protein- and DNA/RNA-related assays and immunohistochemical staining; isolating cells from mouse tissue samples. Will also assist principal investigator and research staff in the lab to measure tumor burden by a caliper or by in vivo imaging systems. (20%)
Record results for experiments or closely related series of experiments relating to profiling immune cell sub-populations in mouse pancreatic cancer. Maintain records of experiments in shared drives. (20%)
Order laboratory supplies including reagents, mice, supplies and materials for the lab following the instruction of principal investigator and senior research staff who will provide vendor name and category number for each order. (25%)
Maintain test equipment utilized in experiments. Maintain and calibrate lab equipment, such as pipettes, weighing scale, centrifuges, and water bath. (10%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Present work at lab meetings and other events (5%)
2. Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Moderate administrative staff contact for ordering lab supplies and arranging
equipment maintenance. Continuous contact with principal investigator on daily basis for
supervision and instructions. Continuous contact with lab members for supervision and
instructions.
University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information.
External: Limited or no contact with vendors to exchange information.
Students: Frequent contact with student employees to exchange information.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: Bachelor¿s degree in science and 0 to 1 year of experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the cancer particular field.
Must demonstrate compliance with CWRU animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
Must demonstrate compassion for animals within CWRU facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center¿s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
Must be able and willing to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and utilize protective gear to protect the health the animals.
Previous experience working with animals preferred.
Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
Ability to operate laboratory equipment such as thermal cycler, centrifuge, microscope, image analyzer, real-time pcr system, laminar hoods, incubator, spectrophotometer, autoclave, electrophoresis units.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline
WORKING CONDITIONS
General laboratory environment. May have exposure to chemicals and biohazards, no radioactive substances. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards. Will work at the bench performing experiments. Will perform some experiments in the animal facilities, in the laminar flow hood. Involves traveling between different buildings in the university. Willing to adjust working hours according to the nature of ongoing experiments. Case Western Reserve University¿s animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the ¿Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals¿ appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service ¿Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.¿ This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to medical school Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines. General laboratory environment. May have exposure to hazards.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: Bachelor¿s degree in science and 0 to 1 year of experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required.
