Assistant Research Scientist / Engineer

University of Iowa; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics seeks an Assistant Research Scientist/Engineer to advance cancer biology, biomedical engineering, and materials science research. The role emphasizes gas-entrapping materials and mRNA delivery to enhance cancer therapy and reduce side effects in normal tissues.

The candidate will secure funding, design experiments, analyze data, and disseminate results, collaborating with faculty and PI oversight. A PhD in cancer biology or related field is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in cancer biology or related field and equivalent mix of education and experience.
• 1–3 years of postdoctoral experience in cancer biology or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform cellular assays to investigate gas and therapeutic agent interactions.
• Collect data and prepare manuscripts with first-author and collaborative work.
• Develop and apply data analysis using GraphPad Prism and ImageJ.
• Supervise graduate students and provide mentorship and guidance.
• Contribute to grant proposals and progress reports to NIH or similar funders.

Skills

Immunohistochemistry

Immunofluorescence

Western blotting

Cell culture

Data analysis

Education

PhD in cancer biology

Tools

GraphPad Prism

ImageJ

Adobe Illustrator

Photoshop

FlowJo

Job description

Assistant Research Scientist / Engineer

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Department of Radiation Oncology is seeking a talented, highly motivated Assistant Research Scientist/Engineer to join the multi-disciplinary laboratory of Dr. James Byrne. The Assistant Research Scientist will conduct highly technical and specialized scientific research at the interface of cancer biology, biomedical engineering, and materials science. Research projects involve the utilization of gas-entrapping materials to improve response to cancer therapy, as well as novel mRNA delivery to reduce cancer therapy–induced side effects on normal tissues.

This position will independently secure funding; design and perform research experiments and theoretical investigations; analyze data, and disseminate research findings with primary emphasis to collaborations on investigations with other faculty researchers. Academic knowledge of cancer biology or associated field with a doctoral degree or equivalent professional degree is required as well as outstanding achievement and publications in the field of cancer biology.

Position Responsibilities

• Design and perform cellular assays to investigate the concomitant administration of gases and therapeutic agents.
• Collect data and evaluate relevance for manuscript preparation.
• Develop and utilize advanced data analysis techniques including Graphpad prism and ImageJ to analyze interpreted results.
• Work independently on various projects involving cancer and normal tissue toxicity with oversight by Faculty or Principal Investigator (PI).
• Contribute to animal care protocol, compliances and documentation of equipment and procedures.

Data/Research Analysis and Evaluation

• Analyzes data using graph pad prism for relevance and data integrity.
• Performs basic data analysis techniques using Graphpad prism and ImageJ.

Dissemination of Research Results

• Prepares and submits first author and collaborative manuscripts, in appropriate scientific journals, and demonstrates a good publication record.
• Presents research results at departmental or local seminars or professional annual radiation research meetings/scientific conferences.

Research Proposals/Grants

• Contribute to new and ongoing research grant proposals as required by NIH and other funding agencies to obtain funding for research projects.
• May write research proposals with goal of obtaining independent funding as needed.
• May serve as co-PI on grants or proposals.
• Contribute to progress reports required by NIH and other funding agencies.
• Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines as needed.

Service

• Provide service to the scientific community, University and General Public.
• Review submitted manuscripts and research proposals.
• May serve on internal committees, consult, or collaborate with the research community to help further goals of research projects and bring new expertise to the research program.
• Present results of research at national and international scientific meetings within the discipline.

Human Resources/Supervision

• Supervise and mentor graduate students to provide career guidance.
• May provide functional supervision for students and/or staff.
• Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved.

Education Requirements

• This position requires a PhD in cancer biology or related field and equivalent combination of education and professional experience in a related field.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant postdoctoral experience in cancer biology or related field is required.
• Strong working knowledge of in vitro and in vivo experimental procedures required. Strong working knowledge of immunohistochemistry required.
• Strong working knowledge of immunofluorescence required.
• Strong working knowledge of western blotting and equipment required.
• Proficiency in use of spectrophotometer-based assays required.
• Proficiency in cell culture techniques in isolating and culturing normal and cancer cell lines.
• Strong working knowledge of in vivo assays and cancer-specific endpoints.
• Strong organization skills required.
• Effective interpersonal skills required as well as written and oral communication and presentation skills required.
• Proficient computer skills including Graph pad Prism, Adobe illustrator, Photoshop, ImageJ as well as working knowledge of email, word processing, and Excel spreadsheets required. Proficiency in analyzing data for confocal microscopy required.

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Previous animal handling experience.
• 5 years relevant experience in cancer biology or related field is highly desired.
• Knowledge of flow cytometry analysis including FlowJo is highly desired.
• Animal handling experience is highly desired. Demonstrated experience in successfully establishing achieving internally and externally funded research programs is highly desired.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of University of Iowa Policies and Procedures.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 3 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.