Postbaccalaureate Research Scholar - Williams Lab

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries and comprehensive

Onsite fitness center

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) invites applications for a Postbaccalaureate Research Scholar in the Williams Lab. You will gain research experience in RNA quality control pathways related to lupus and autoimmune diseases, with close mentorship and weekly seminars to build career skills.

The role includes performing experiments, keeping meticulous records, analyzing data, and presenting results.

Qualifications

• Recent BA/BS in a STEM field and a desire to gain research experience for graduate/professional school.
• Master’s degree in STEM within last 6 months is acceptable for the program.
• Basic knowledge of routine laboratory procedures and math calculations.

Responsibilities

• Perform experiments using molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques.
• Careful record-keeping of experimental procedures and results.
• Analyze data and present findings to the PI and team.
• Assist with cell line development and lab organization.
• Follow safety protocols and manage multiple tasks as priorities shift.

Education

BA/BS in STEM

MS in STEM (within last 6 months)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Internet software

Job description

CAREERS AT OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Have big ideas, passion, and a desire to grow? Join us and make a difference.

For multiple consecutive years, Foundation employees have voted OMRF among “Oklahoma’s Top Workplaces.”

Our mission: "...so that more may live longer, healthier lives." Learn more at omrf.org .

Postbaccalaureate Research Scholar - Williams Lab

Position Overview and Responsibilities
The Williams Lab in the Arthritis and Clinical Immunology (ACI) Research Program is seeking a Postbaccalaureate Research Scholar for our newly opened lab. The Williams lab is focused on the role of RNA quality control pathways in systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. This position is an opportunity for up to 2 years meant for postbaccalaureate students who wish to attain research experience that will help prepare them for graduate or professional school in a STEM-related area or healthcare.
Scholars hired into these positions will have:

• One-on-one mentorship from a supervising faculty member via informal daily interactions and formal weekly meetings
• Access to graduate student workshops and seminars that address skill building and career development
• Additional meetings with senior graduate students and postdoctoral research scientists to get real-world perspectives about graduate school, the skills/effort needed to succeed, and further scientific training.
• Potential to present research at local and national scientific meetings and to publish in peer-reviewed journals”

The Williams lab utilizes cutting-edge techniques in RNA biology, bioinformatics, molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry to explore disease mechanisms and fundamental biological problems. The Research Scholar will be closely mentored by the PI and will conduct routine laboratory procedures following standardized protocols. After appropriate training, the Research Scholar will perform advanced techniques, and the Research Scholar will be encouraged to take initiative on troubleshooting, experimental design, and project development. The Research Scholar will be critical to supporting the team’s research objectives and will take on important responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Performing experiments using various molecular, cellular, and biochemical techniques
• Working with P32 (radioisotope)
• Careful record-keeping of experimental procedures, results, and reagents
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental data and presenting findings to the Principal Investigator and to co-workers
• Supporting the development and management of cell lines
• Assisting with laboratory organization, inventory, and compliance with safety protocols
• Identifying, preparing, and executing research experiments in accordance with approved protocols
• Taking initiative on non-routine assignments, reading literature, and applying problem-solving skills to experimental design and execution
• Recent (within the last 3 years) BA/BS degree in a STEM field, such as the biological sciences, engineering, chemistry, physics, or computer science, and a desire to gain research experience in preparation for applications to graduate or professional schools in STEM related areas.
  OR
  Recent (within the last 6 months) master’s degree in a STEM field, such as the biological sciences, engineering, chemistry, physics, or computer science, and a desire to gain research experience in preparation for applications to graduate or professional schools in STEM related areas.
• Basic knowledge of routine technical and functional laboratory procedures
• Proficiency in performing basic mathematical calculations
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with:
  • Internet software
  • Microsoft Office software
• Professionalism, strong work ethic, and a collaborative, personable attitude.
• Ability to follow instructions and to ask for help when needed
• Must be detail-oriented and able to keep meticulous experimental records
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence and protocols/procedures
• Ability to compute basic mathematical operations, i.e., rate, ratio, percent, molarity, and unit conversion
• Ability to organize and perform precise and accurate work when dealing with samples and chemicals

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior lab research experience

Work Hours

Typically Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 5:00PM.

OMRF Overview

Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.

Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, with low cost of living, short commute times and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a collective commitment to our mission, “ . . so that more may live longer, healthier lives.” Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to this mission.

OMRF Benefits

• We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits to full-time employees including medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, and paid holidays.
• All employees have access to our onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more!
• Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro.
• Learn more about our benefits here.

OMRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.