Research Assistant 4

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $52,705 and $57,000, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, coordinate major activities in medical and related technical areas. The lab studies the role of the oral and vaginal microbiome in human health, with a focus on understanding how these organisms interact with each other and with their host. This Research Assistant 4 position will plan and carry out research projects with the goal to understand transcriptional heterogeneity in bacterial behavior in these sites, including at the single cell level. Additional opportunities may include opportunities to use complementary computational or wet-lab approaches to study microbes associated with the oral cavity, female reproductive tract, or other polymicrobial sites, as well as study the therapeutic potential of phages in these and related systems. Key responsibilities will include bacterial scRNA-seq, sequencing data analysis and interpretation, microscopy, facilitation of collaborations, mentoring students and technicians, and general lab support.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate major activities of laboratory/ research, primarily focused on microbial culturing, sequencing library preparations, and data analyses to characterize heterogeneity in bacterial physiology, including in the oral and vaginal microbiota. (30%)
• Perform the most complex quantitative analytical procedures. Computational analyses include, but are not limited to bacterial scRNA-seq data analysis, metatranscriptomics, bacterial genomics, and microscopy image analysis (15%)
• Co-author research projects. Be directly involved in generating figures, writing, and revising manuscripts related to research tasks. Present findings at local, regional, and national conferences. (15%)
• Teach or instruct others in research techniques. Train students and staff, including collaborators, in wet-lab and computational approaches, data analysis, and other techniques related to microbiology and sequencing approaches. (10%)
• Assist in developing procedures, coordinate information with others as needed. Including troubleshooting new culturing, sequencing, and data analysis approaches and onboarding new procedures. (10%)

Nonessential Functions

• Provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects. Detail updates through regular meetings and clear notes. Provide ideas and feedback on future experimental plans, including grant submissions. (5%)
• May supervise research assistants and technicians. (5%)
• May monitor the laboratory budget and assist with ordering and lab support. (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned (5%).

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent (daily) contact with principal investigator and with other research personnel regarding project activities. Occasional contact with department administration to maintain workflows.

University: Occasional contact with researchers in other departments regarding collaborative projects and to share information.

External: Infrequent contact with researchers at outside research institutions to facilitate collaborations and sharing of data. Infrequent contact with vendors regarding supplies.

Students: Frequent contact with students in the lab setting, acting as an additional mentor for students, and informally to explain data, techniques, etc., and to maintain workflows.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May supervise research assistants and technicians.

Requirements

Experience: 5 to 8 years of related experience required.

Education: Bachelor's degree in science.

Required Skills

• Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within microbiology, scRNA-seq, microscopy, and microbial bioinformatics.
• Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment and work on a high-performance computing cluster. Must be willing to learn new techniques.
• 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.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face. Excellent communication skills; ability to maintain effective working relationships, address the needs of the PI and lab members, and mentor students and technicians. Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through.
• Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate sound judgment and good decision-making.
• Must have the ability to maintain meticulous, complete, and easily retrievable laboratory data.
• Ability to ensure laboratory safety.
• Ability to demonstrate 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.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory environment. May have exposure to hazards. The employee will work mostly in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) facilities and will be exposed to infectious materials and general chemicals. This job may include handling of human biological specimens that may be infected with viral or bacterial pathogens. This position may provide opportunities for travel, including presentations at domestic and international conferences.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.