Research Assistant III/IV - Oncology (AML Research Lab)

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH is seeking an experienced Research Assistant to serve as a senior research professional and laboratory manager in a translational leukemia lab focused on understanding and overcoming targeted therapy resistance in AML.

You will support scientific and operational aspects of the lab, including experiments, regulatory compliance, trainee support, and inventory management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 1 year of directly related experience or Master's degree in a related field.
• Preferred experience with mammalian tissue culture, DNA/RNA isolation, protein biochemistry, sequencing workflows, and in vivo planning.
• Strong organizational, record-keeping, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
• Experience in leukemia or hematologic malignancies and handling primary patient-derived samples is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform and troubleshoot molecular and cellular biology experiments with minimal supervision.
• Maintain and characterize leukemia cell lines and primary patient samples.
• Conduct tissue culture studies, in vitro drug treatment experiments, and mechanistic studies of therapeutic response and resistance.
• Perform protein-based analyses, including immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation (IP), coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP), and related assays.
• Isolate DNA and RNA from cells, tissues, and animal samples.
• Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing and assist with sequencing-based studies.
• Support in vivo studies, including planning, coordination, sample collection, and analysis of mouse experiments.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and well-organized experimental records and laboratory notebooks.
• Analyze, summarize, and present experimental findings at laboratory meetings.
• Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations and ensure efficient workflow.
• Manage laboratory inventory, purchasing, equipment maintenance, and vendor interactions.
• Develop and maintain laboratory SOPs and organizational systems.
• Coordinate laboratory onboarding and training of students, staff, and trainees.
• Monitor compliance with institutional safety, biosafety, animal use, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with laboratory resource allocation.
• Foster a collaborative and productive laboratory environment.

Skills

Mammalian tissue culture

DNA/RNA isolation

Protein biochemistry

Immunoblotting

Immunoprecipitation

Molecular biology

Sequencing workflows

Mouse research

Laboratory management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

1 year related experience

3 years related experience

Master's degree with 2 years related experience

Tools

Next-generation sequencing

Workflow management

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Primary LocationLocation SDepartmentOncology DepartmentShiftDay (United States of America)ScheduleFull timeWeekly Hours40FTE1Employee StatusRegular

We are seeking an experienced Research Assistant who will serve as a senior research professional and laboratory manager in a translational leukemia research laboratory focused on understanding and overcoming mechanisms of targeted therapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This position will support both scientific and operational aspects of the laboratory, including experimental execution, laboratory organization, regulatory compliance, trainee support, and inventory management.The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, collaborative, and capable of independently managing multiple priorities while maintaining rigorous scientific standards.

Job Responsibilities

• Research Activities Perform and troubleshoot molecular and cellular biology experiments with minimal supervision.
• Maintain and characterize leukemia cell lines and primary patient samples.
• Conduct tissue culture studies, in vitro drug treatment experiments, and mechanistic studies of therapeutic response and resistance.
• Perform protein-based analyses, including immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation (IP), coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP), and related assays.
• Isolate DNA and RNA from cells, tissues, and animal samples.
• Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing and assist with sequencing-based studies.
• Support in vivo studies, including planning, coordination, sample collection, and analysis of mouse experiments.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and well-organized experimental records and laboratory notebooks.
• Analyze, summarize, and present experimental findings at laboratory meetings.
• Laboratory Management & Operations Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations and ensure efficient workflow.
• Manage laboratory inventory, purchasing, equipment maintenance, and vendor interactions.
• Develop and maintain laboratory SOPs and organizational systems.
• Coordinate laboratory onboarding and training of students, staff, and trainees.
• Monitor compliance with institutional safety, biosafety, animal use, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with laboratory resource allocation.
• Foster a collaborative and productive laboratory environment.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Required for RAIII: Bachelor's degree in a related field AND 1 year of directly related experience OR Master's degree in a related field
• Required for RAIV: Bachelor's degree in a related field 3 years of experience in related job discipline OR Master's degree and 2 years experience
• Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated experience with: o Mammalian tissue culture o DNA and RNA isolation o Protein biochemistry techniques, including immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation o Molecular biology techniques and sequencing workflows o In vitro drug treatment studies o Mouse research and in vivo experimental planning
• Strong organizational, record-keeping, and project management skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment.
• Experience in leukemia, hematologic malignancies, cancer biology, or drug resistanceresearch.
• Experience handling primary patient-derived samples.
• Familiarity with next-generation sequencing approaches and downstream datainterpretation.
• Previous laboratory management or supervisory experience.
• Experience working in NIH-funded academic research environments.

Expected Starting Range: 52,624-62,150.40 (RAIII) 56,846.40-72,488 (RAIV)

About Us At Cincinnati Children's, we come to work with one goal: to make children's health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children's. Cincinnati Children's is:Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as atop 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH)Funding Recognized as one of America's Best Large Employers (2025), America's Best Employers for New Grads (2025) One of the nation'sAmerica's Most Innovative Companiesas noted by Fortune Consistently certified as great place to work A Leading Disability Employeras noted by theNational Organization on Disability Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by theAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) We Embrace Innovation-Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That's why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we're creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future-for all of us.Comprehensive job description provided upon request.Cincinnati Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability