Research Assistant

JOB TITLE: RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Employment type: Part time (30 hours/week; Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Salary: $15-17/hour

We are seeking individual with biology background and interest in working in both cell culture and animal models in mice to support our drug repurposing and gene therapy approaches for dental regeneration. In this position you will:

• Work on an exciting scientific project to develop novel therapies for the regeneration of tooth defects. You will design experiments with the PI and independently perform cell culture and animal experiments.
• Work in a multidisciplinary group with expertise in cell and molecular biology, and a focus on preclinical translation of dental therapeutics for regenerating tooth defects.

We are working to develop our new therapeutic approaches which involves molecular, biochemical, cellular, and animal experiments. The animal side of this work involves microscope-assisted creation of tooth defects in mice, delivery of therapies locally in the tooth and testing outcomes via histology and micro-CT. This position requires that you are comfortable with animal handling, anesthesia, and assisting in surgical procedures.

The biochemical and cellular experiments to help develop these therapies include maintenance of and experimentation with mammalian cell culture; extraction and purification of total RNA for cell culture and animal tissue; extraction and purification of plasmid DNA from E. coli; performing experiments involving cell culture, biochemical assays, histology, immunostaining, flow cytometry, bioinformatics, and other techniques.

After processing experimental data and applying statistics to evaluate significance and refine models, you will collaborate with the investigators in further enhancing these therapies.
 

After learning essential tools, you will work independently, and exercise scientific judgement based upon your expertise. There will be regular discussion of experimental outcomes with the investigators who will encourage your participation to structure the next experimental plans. You can make intellectual contributions to the emerging science based upon your expertise and experience.
 

Other job duties: Maintain laboratory in working condition including keeping inventory of supplies and reagents, placing of orders, arranging for maintenance services. Maintain lab protocols, records, and safety documentation. Assist PI with the management and administration of research projects. Help prepare manuscripts for publication, and in the preparation of grant proposals and reports to acquire new and maintain existing funding. In your experimental expertise, you will train others (e.g., students).
 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field.
• At least a year of experience working in a research laboratory.
• Competence in molecular biology techniques including DNA and RNA extraction and qPCR.
• Prior exposure working with animals in research.
• Experience working with word, excel, power point and a basic imaging software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in appropriate biological, molecular biological sciences. 
• Experience working with animals and conducting experiments on animals.

Documents to submit: Cover Letter, CV or Resume

Reference letters: One minimum (Two preferred)

Position opened: Until Filled 

Number of vacancies: 1

Campus Location: South Campus