Research Assistant 4

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 53,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University is seeking a Research Assistant 4 to coordinate major lab activities in pulmonary and critical care translational research. The role supports both human biospecimen work and animal studies, providing expert technical input and independent execution of complex assays.

With 5–8 years of related experience and a Bachelor’s degree in science, you will mentor staff, co-author research projects, and help manage procedures, records, and workflows across multiple active

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science required.
• 5–8 years of related experience required.
• Experience in laboratory research with animals preferred.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate major translational pulmonary and critical care research activities.
• Oversee human biospecimen processing and biochemical assays.
• Coordinate animal research workflows and surgeries.
• Contribute to study design, data interpretation and manuscript support.
• Lead laboratory operations, scheduling and inventory management.
• Train and supervise junior personnel as needed.
• Develop and refine standard operating procedures and documentation.

Skills

Lab techniques

Documentation

Animal handling

Team collaboration

AI tools learning

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Job description

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $52,705 and $74,873, 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 with a high degree of independence and under general direction, the Research Assistant 4 will coordinate major activities in medical and related technical areas. This individual will serve as a senior technical laboratory resource supporting both human biospecimen-based investigations and preclinical animal experimentation. Responsibilities include execution of advanced biochemical and immunologic assays, conduct of complex animal procedures including survival surgeries and perioperative care, laboratory workflow coordination, maintenance of regulatory and experimental records, and preliminary analysis of experimental findings. This position will function independently, provide technical expertise across multiple active projects, and offer flexible support based on laboratory workflow demands. This position works with animals.

Essential Functions

• Provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects including experimental progress, assay performance, animal model execution, troubleshooting of laboratory procedures, interpretation of preliminary biochemical and immunologic findings, and optimization of workflow across human and animal translational studies in pulmonary and critical care research. (15%)
• Coordinate major activities of laboratory and research activities supporting translational pulmonary and critical care investigations, including human biospecimen processing, biochemical assays related to hemolysis and immune function, animal research workflows, surgical study coordination, specimen tracking, laboratory scheduling, reagent inventory, regulatory documentation, and maintenance of efficient day-to-day laboratory operations. (25%)
• May supervise research assistants and technicians. May provide technical oversight, procedural guidance, workflow delegation, and training to research assistants, laboratory technicians, trainees, and junior personnel involved in laboratory assays, animal studies, specimen handling, and research documentation to ensure adherence to protocol and laboratory standards. (9%)
• Co-author research projects. Contribute to scholarly research activities through technical input related to experimental design, methodologic refinement, data interpretation, figure preparation, and assistance with manuscript development, abstracts, and scientific presentations arising from active translational research projects. (6%)
• Perform the most complex quantitative analytical procedures. Independently perform advanced biochemical, immunologic, and translational laboratory procedures, including assays associated with hemolysis biology, inflammatory mediator quantification, immunologic functional analyses, biospecimen processing, and other complex experimental methodologies requiring technical expertise, precision, quality control, and independent troubleshooting. (30%)
• Teach and instruct laboratory personnel, trainees, students, and research staff in appropriate laboratory methodologies, animal research procedures, assay execution, documentation practices, regulatory compliance, and technical best practices to ensure consistent and high-quality research performance. (6%)
• Assist in the development, refinement, and implementation of laboratory standard operating procedures, experimental workflows, documentation processes, and coordination of research activities with investigators, clinical research personnel, institutional animal research teams, and collaborating laboratories as needed. (9%)

Nonessential Functions

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily interaction with principal investigator, laboratory personnel, clinical research coordinators, technicians, and collaborating investigators regarding active studies, workflow management, experimental troubleshooting, and data review.

University: Regular interaction with animal resource personnel, institutional compliance offices, shared core facilities, biosafety personnel, and collaborating laboratories to exchange information.

External: Occasional contact with vendors, assay support teams, and external collaborators for technical coordination and procurement.

Students/Trainees: Occasional contact with fellows, residents, students, and junior laboratory personnel to support research activities and technical training.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May supervise research assistants and technicians.

Qualifications

Experience: 5 to 8 years of related experience required.

Education: Bachelor's degree in science required.

Required Skills

• Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
• Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment.
• 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, supervisors and customers face to face.
• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Must demonstrate compliance with 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 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.
• Previous experience working with animals preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory and animal research environment; procedural work requiring manual dexterity and fine motor precision. Position includes exposure to biological specimens, laboratory reagents and chemicals, research animals, sharps, anesthetic agents, and standard laboratory equipment. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards. The employee will stand for prolonged periods, and lift laboratory supplies or equipment. Occasional schedule variability based on active experiments.

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.