Experienced Research Assistant
The Institute is seeking an experienced, talented and self-motivated research assistant who will conduct research with an interdisciplinary group of medical and research staff working on a variety of regenerative medicine and cancer research programs. The research program focuses on the application of induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cell, cancer stem cell and progenitor cells and adult somatic stem cells in preclinical drug discovery and cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases, oncology and regenerative and personalized medicine.
The John Paul II Medical Research Institute (JP2MRI) seeks to find cures and therapies exclusively using a variety of adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, and does not engage in embryonic stem cell research of any kind. The JP2MRI is developing preclinical research technologies that will broadly advance drug discovery and regenerative medicine for many diseases. In addition, the Institute will engage in educational outreach to increase the number of scientists and future medical practitioners that will work with adult stem cells, always with an emphasis on medical bioethics that is consistent with the dignity of human life.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
Perform literature searches in the library or through the Internet on specified topics, including researching current literature for methods and trends and subsequent evaluation of those methods.
Write research reports, including summarizing test results of participating investigators; and assist in the preparation of publication, presentations and patents.
Execute designated experiments, perform routine tissue culture work, isolate primary cell lines and grow secondary cultured lines; isolate nucleic acid and protein samples from tissues or cells for analysis; perform restriction endonuclease digests and analyze the digestion products; perform a variety of cell-based assays in cultured living cells; perform transfection by electroporation of cell lines; perform time-lapse microscopy studies and perform image analysis; perform real-time time-lapse microscopy studies and image analysis; and utilize computer-simulations to model cell behavior under culture conditions.
Translate and interpret data and assist in the planning of data presentations.
Assist in judging the validity of data obtained from experimental procedures and recommend additional tests and/or modifications.
Establish and maintain small animal models of cancer and regenerative medicine. Perform tail biopsies, isolate genomic DNA, and to use the polymerase chain reaction and Southern analysis to genotype the mice.
Perform non-survival surgery to isolate tissue and cultured cells from mice.
Perform immunohistochemistry and evaluate tissue sections using morphometric techniques.
Prepare sterile culture media and laboratory reagents. Operate microscopes, centrifuges, thermocycler, spectrophotometer, flow cytometer and other standard laboratory equipment.
Instruct students and others in methods and instrument operation.
Respond to requests for technical information from various public and private agencies and from individuals.
Supervision Received
Supervision is received.
Supervision Exercised
Functional supervision may be exercised over other laboratory technicians and assistants and other assigned research personnel.
Qualifications
Requires the academic knowledge of a discipline plus the ability to translate, adapt and apply this knowledge that is generally associated with a Bachelor’s degree, supplemented by years of experience as a research assistant with evidence of progressive supervisory experience in health science research.
Candidates with experience and supervision in training others in pluripotent and somatic stem cell research, molecular biology and in small animal models are desirable.
Candidates should have a qualified visa status, permanent residency or US citizenship.
Salary is commensurate with level of experience.