Research Assistant Grade II/III

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) in Detroit invites applications for a Research Assistant (RA Grade I–III) to support its Cell Culture and Organoid Facility. Training at Henry Ford Health will precede in‑house work on organoid platforms and stem cell workflows, enabling you to contribute to high‑impact biomedical research.

Success requires rigorous documentation, collaboration with cross‑functional teams, and the ability to work in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture and organoid methods.
• Familiarity with stem cells, differentiation, and in vitro systems.
• Attention to detail and meticulous documentation in a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and advanced mammalian cell culture including maintenance of primary and stem cells.
• Support generation and characterization of organoids and 3D culture systems.
• Execute experimental protocols under supervision, including differentiation and assays.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure reproducibility.
• Assist in optimization of protocols to improve scalability and reliability.
• Prepare reagents, media, and materials for experiments.
• Support lab organization, inventory, and equipment maintenance.
• Collaborate with platform teams and adhere to biosafety guidelines.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Stem cell culture

Organoid culture

3D culture systems

Experimental workflows

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

As the Research Assistant (RA Grade I–III), you will play a key role in supporting advanced cellculture and organoid-based research within NGNRI’s Cell Culture and Organoid Facility.This position is open to candidates at varying experience levels, with responsibilities tailoredaccordingly.

The successful candidate will begin with hands‑on training in a Henry Ford Healthlaboratory, gaining experience in stem cell culture, organoid systems, and experimentalworkflows. You will then transition to NGNRI to help establish and operate its in‑houseorganoid platform.

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to high-impact research, supporting the deliveryof robust, reproducible experimental systems that drive discovery and therapeuticdevelopment.

About the role

Perform routine and advanced mammalian cell culture, including maintenance ofprimary cells, stem cells, and derived cell types

Support generation, maintenance, and characterization of organoids and related 3Dculture systems

Execute experimental protocols under supervision, including differentiation,treatment, and assay workflows

Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in accordance with NGNRIstandards

Assist in optimization and standardization of protocols to improve reproducibility andscalability

Prepare reagents, media, and materials required for experiments

Perform basic quality control procedures (e.g., cell viability, contaminationmonitoring, morphological assessment)

Support implementation of laboratory organization, inventory management, andequipment maintenance

Collaborate with other platform teams (e.g., screening, genome engineering) asneeded

Adhere to all biosafety, regulatory, and ethical guidelines

During initial assignment at Henry Ford Health:

Participate in structured, hands‑on training in organoid and stem cell methodologies

Learn and apply best practices in experimental design, execution, anddocumentation

Work closely with HFH scientists and staff to gain proficiency in relevant technologies

Demonstrate progressive independence and technical competency over the trainingperiod

About you

High integrity and commitment to rigorous scientific standards

Eager to learn and develop new technical skills

Reliable, organized, and detail‑oriented

Collaborative and team‑oriented mindset

Adaptable and responsive to feedback

Motivated by contributing to meaningful biomedical research

Preferred Qualifications

RA Grade II (Intermediate):

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with 1–3+ years of relevant laboratory experience

Minimum of 2 years hands‑on experience with mammalian cell culture

Familiarity with sterile technique and basic cell‑based assays

Ability to execute experiments with moderate independence

RA Grade III (Advanced):

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with 3–5+ years of relevant experience

Proven experience with stem cell culture, organoids, or complex in vitro systems

Ability to troubleshoot experiments and optimize protocols

Demonstrated capability to work independently and support junior staff

All Levels:

Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducibility

Maintain excellent organization and meticulous documentation of experimentalprocedures and results

Proficiency in both spoken and written English communication

Effective communication and teamwork abilities

Willingness to work in a dynamic, fast‑paced research environment

About Us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI)is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinicalexpertiseto accelerate translational discovery.
Located within a new,state-of-the-artresearch facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.
NGNRI supports both in‑house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission‑driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute tocutting-edgescience within a vibrant and expanding hub.

NGNRI is in an early stage of development and relies on support from its founding organization, the Rocket Family of Companies, for some of its infrastructure, including talent acquisition. Like the institute itself, salary ranges and benefits are still under construction—they will be highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of NGNRI at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. NGNRI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [e-mail].