Research Assistant

Western University of Health Sciences

Pomona (CA)

On-site

USD 20,664 - 27,552

Part time

14 days+

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Job summary

Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA seeks a Research Assistant for a temporary/contract position in the College of Veterinary Medicine. The role focuses on developing a duplex high-throughput diagnostic assay for tick-borne pathogens, including hands-on lab work and data collection.

Applicants should have a biology-related background and willingness to work outdoors in varied conditions. Responsibilities include nucleic acid extraction, aiding PCR/qPCR, maintaining sterile

Qualifications

Experience as a research student in a laboratory or academic setting.
Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Veterinary Science, or a related life science field.

Responsibilities

Perform nucleic acid extraction from blood and tick samples for pathogens such as Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Babesia.
Assist with PCR / qPCR assays, including reagent preparation, plate setup, and basic instrument operation.
Apply proper pipetting techniques with high accuracy and contamination control.
Maintain sterile technique and follow biosafety procedures (BSL-2 practices for zoonotic pathogens).
Perform other duties as assigned in support of research, laboratory operations, data collection, and project activities.

Skills

Ecology interest

Outdoor work

Attention to detail

Lab experience a plus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Veterinary Science, or related life science

Job description

As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.

At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.

Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.

Position Title

Research Assistant

Position Control Number

T02342

Type of Position

Temporary / Contract

Position Status

Temporary/Contract

Department

1701-College of Veterinary Medicine

Campus

Western University Campus-Pomona, CA

Position Location

California

Job Summary

Project Overview: Because of climate change, there has been a significant rise in the risk of tickborne infections in animals and humans across the United States, intensifying the demand for reliable diagnostic methods. Our lab has developed a duplex high throughput diagnostic assay utilizing Barcoded Magnetic Bead technology to detect two groups of tick-borne pathogens from a single sample. The targeted pathogens include 6 tick-borne pathogen species. This cost-effective, highly sensitive diagnostic approach aims to deliver accurate results to veterinarians within a short 5-hour time frame from sample collection. We intend to use our assay for retrospective samples, making it suitable for both surveillance studies and routine clinical diagnostics. The proposed work is poised to have a lasting impact on the One Health triad, as animals can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities.

Project Title: Unifying Medicine and Veterinary Science: Development of One Health Multiple Molecular Diagnostic assay in Tick Pathogens

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Interest in ecology, biology, veterinary/public health, or molecular biology.
Willingness to work outdoors in varied conditions.
Attention to detail and ability to follow protocols.
Previous lab or field experience is a plus, but not required.

Required Qualifications

Experience:

Experience as a research student in a laboratory or academic setting .

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Veterinary Science, or a related life science field.

Experience:

Hands-on laboratory experience with basic techniques (pipetting, sample preparation, aseptic technique).
Fundamental knowledge of molecular biology methods such as PCR , nucleic acid extraction, and gel electrophoresis.
Ability to follow detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) with high accuracy and consistency.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in experimental work and documentation.

Key Responsibilities

Perform nucleic acid extraction from blood and tick samples for pathogens such as Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Babesia.
Assist with PCR /qPCR assays, including reagent preparation, plate setup, and basic instrument operation.
Apply proper pipetting techniques with high accuracy and contamination control.
Maintain sterile technique and follow biosafety procedures (BSL -2 practices for zoonotic pathogens).
Perform other duties as assigned in support of research, laboratory operations, data collection, and project activities.

Posting Details

Work Schedule

Hours will vary.

We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.

We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally.

Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.
Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.
Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.
As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.
WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.
We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!

Expected Pay Scale

Minimum

Minimum $17.50 Hourly

Maximum

Maximum $17.50 Hourly

Physical Demands

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting?

Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? Yes

If yes, list maximum weight and duration

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to grasp laboratory objects, equipment and animals (if applicable). The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, and smell. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hand and arms, climb and stoop. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close and color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to monitor the various computer screens and instruments used during the physiological processes.

Describe Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are routinely performed in a typical laboratory setting. While performing duties in this setting the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold (non-weather), and risk of electric shock. The employee is regularly exposed to wet humid conditions (non-weather), moving mechanical parts, and high precarious places. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions, extreme heat (non-weather), and risk of radiation. The noise level in this setting may be loud due to the noise of ventilation system and hydraulic body hoist.

Posting Information

Posting Number

TC00514

Posting Date

06/02/2026

Close Date

08/31/2026

Open Until Filled No

Conditions of Employment - Background Check

To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.

Pay Transparency Act

Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Statement (EEO)

It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.

Required Documents