Research Assistant 1

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Winter recess

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University is conducting a research assistant role focused on epigenetic regulation in intestinal diseases. The position involves tissue culture, molecular biology, and mouse colony management to advance understanding of disease mechanisms.

Responsibilities include executing experiments, data collection, record-keeping, and maintaining lab equipment. A science degree with relevant lab experience is required, along with a willingness to work with AI tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science and 0 to 1 year of experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required.
• Knowledge of biomedical science concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Strong organizational skills for lab management, data quantifying and recording.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment.
• Willingness to learn and work with AI tools and technologies.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance and communicate effectively with colleagues.
• Experience with tissue culture and molecular biology skills; animal experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform research in medical and related technical areas using lab skills, including cell culture and animal models.
• Isolate and analyze nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites.
• Record results and maintain organized notebooks documenting procedures and data.
• Maintain test equipment and assist with lab organization and supply handling.
• Order supplies and maintain lab inventories.

Skills

Tissue culture

Molecular biology

Animal handling

Lab management

Data recording & analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Associate's degree in biotechnology

Tools

PCR

Western blot

Immunohistochemistry

Job description

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $17.65 per hour, 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 under moderate supervision, the Research Assistant 1 will perform research work in medical and related technical fields to investigate the role of epigenetic regulation in intestinal diseases. The research assistant will perform tissue culture and molecular cell biology involving the use of lab/research skills, including measuring protein and RNA expression, growing 2D and 3D cell cultures, and performing chromatin assays. In addition, this position is expected to maintain mouse colonies and perform animal experiments. This position will work with animals.

Essential Functions

• Perform research work in medical and related technical areas involving use of lab skills. Perform experiments with and maintain both cell culture and animal models, including transformed cell lines, intestinal organoids, and mouse colonies. Setup, perform experimental testing, and data collection of experiments. (50%)
• Conduct analysis of samples. Isolate and analyze nucleic acids, histones and other proteins, and metabolites from experimental samples. (20%)
• Record results from all experimental assays. Maintain records of experiments in organized notebooks, clearly documenting procedures used, and all data generated. (10%)
• Maintain test equipment utilized in experiments. Assist with general organization and maintenance of the laboratory as needed, including receiving supplies, preparing media and solutions, sterilizing materials, and glass wash. (10%)
• Order laboratory supplies. Assist with maintaining lab inventories, receiving quotes from vendors. (10%)

Nonessential Functions

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

• Department: Daily contact with supervisor to discuss research and maintain workflow.
• University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information.
• External: Limited or no contact with vendors to exchange information.
• Students: Contact with student employees to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in science and 0 to 1 year of experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required.

Required Skills

• Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the biomedical science field.
• Strong organizational skills for general lab management, and quantifying and recording data.
• Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment.
• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• 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 and supervisors face to face.
• Experience with tissue culture and molecular biology skills (PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, cellular assays, or similar).
• Previous experience working with animals preferred.
• Experience or willingness to learn to work with experimental animal models and maintain mouse colonies.
• Strong organization skills and good habit of maintaining a clean lab working environment; demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and proven ability to successfully follow through on assigned projects.
• Professional and effective verbal and written communication skills and good interpersonal skills with the ability to work and communicate with various individuals within and external to the university.
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team (must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter).
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain quantitative, complete, and easily retrievable laboratory data.
• Ability to willingly learn new techniques and procedures as needed, follow established protocols or laboratory procedures and request clarification if necessary.
• Must demonstrate compliance with Case Western Reserve University animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Must demonstrate compassion for animals within Case Western Reserve University facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center¿s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
• Must be able and willing to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer gear to protect the health of the animals.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory environment. May have exposure to hazards. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves, and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards. The lab is an open floor plan with abundant bench and desk space, and state-of-the-art equipment for molecular biology and microscopy experiments. Fume hoods and biosafety cabinets are used for working with hazardous and biohazardous materials. The employee should expect frequent interactions with lab members and must be willing to contribute to a friendly, and supportive team environment.

Case Western Reserve University's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals¿ appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service ¿Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to School of Medicine Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

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.