Lab Research Associate

Akron Children's; Akron, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Akron Children's seeks a Lab Research Associate to support translational research in hematologic diseases within the Department of Pediatrics Research Office. You will assist Senior Scientists and Medical Faculty in biomarker discovery, assay development, and device evaluation, bridging lab findings toward clinical implementation with clinicians, engineers, and industry partners.

The role involves designing experiments, handling patient blood specimens, validating assays, and preparing reports,

Qualifications

• Assay development, optimization, and validation is required.
• Handling of human biological specimens, including blood is required.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities is required.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory experiments investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms of hematologic disease.
• Process, characterize, and store patient-derived blood specimens for biobanking.
• Perform molecular, cellular, immunologic, and biochemical assays with accurate SOPs and records.
• Develop, optimize, and validate laboratory assays for diagnostic and prognostic use.
• Prepare validation reports and quality-control documentation; evaluate emerging technologies to improve assays.
• Collaborate with engineers, clinicians, and industry partners to test diagnostic and research devices.
• Develop device testing protocols and analyze performance data for integration into workflows.
• Coordinate specimen collection and processing for investigator-initiated studies with protocol compliance.
• Support IRB submissions, protocol development, and regulatory documentation for translational studies.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical/visualization software; generate reports and grant materials.
• Present findings to teams; contribute to publications and IP development.
• Maintain GLP, GCP, CLIA, CAP, and FDA standards; support inventory, equipment, and safety.

Skills

Assay development

Handling human specimens

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

Summary

The Lab Research Associate resides within the Department of Pediatrics Research Office. The Research Associate supports Senior Scientists and Medical Faculty in executing translational research focused on hematologic disease. This role contributes to biomarker discovery, assay development, and device evaluation, moving laboratory findings toward clinical implementation in collaboration with clinicians, engineers, and industry partners.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute laboratory experiments investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of hematologic disease, in support of Senior Scientist and Medical Faculty research programs.
• Process, characterize, and store patient-derived blood specimens, supporting biobanking for clinical and research studies.
• Perform molecular, cellular, immunologic, and biochemical assays, maintaining accurate SOPs and research records.
• Develop, optimize, and validate laboratory assays for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic use, including analytical and clinical validation studies (sensitivity, specificity, precision, reproducibility).
• Prepare validation reports and quality-control documentation; evaluate emerging technologies to improve assay performance.
• Collaborate with engineers, clinicians, and industry partners to design, test, and verify diagnostic and research devices.
• Develop device testing protocols, analyze performance data, and support integration of new devices into research and clinical workflows.
• Coordinate specimen collection and processing for investigator-initiated and sponsored studies, ensuring protocol compliance.
• Support IRB submissions, protocol development, and regulatory documentation for translational studies.
• Analyze experimental data using statistical and visualization software; generate reports, manuscripts, and grant materials for Senior Scientists and Medical Faculty.
• Present findings to research teams and stakeholders; contribute to publications, conference abstracts, and IP development.
• Maintain compliance with GLP, GCP, CLIA, CAP, and FDA standards, and support laboratory inventory, equipment, and safety management.

Other information

Technical Expertise

• Assay development, optimization, and validation is required.
• Handling of human biological specimens, including blood is required.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities is required.

Education and Experience

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in a scientific field or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training is required. Master's in a scientific field preferred.
2. Years of relevant experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience in translational, clinical, or biomedical research required. Prefer previous oncology research experience.
3. Licensure: not applicable
4. Certification: not applicable
5. Years of supervisory experience: not applicable

Full Time

FTE: 1.000000

Status: Fixed Hybrid