Research Associate

San Jose State University Research Foundation; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance plans

Dental & Vision for employees and deps

Long-term disability & life insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement plan (403(b))

Vacation & sick leave

Employee discounts

Professional development & trainings

Job summary

The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) seeks a Research Assistant to support neuroscience studies in the VanHoven Laboratory at SJSU. The role involves conducting experiments with C.

elegans, including genetic crosses, microscopy, behavioral assays, and molecular biology, while ensuring safety and compliance with BUAs and SOPs. You will maintain chemical inventories, assist with training, order supplies, and help students under supervision.

Qualifications

• BS in Biology or Chemistry with two years of biology/chemistry lab research.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusive environment.
• Must have two years of neuroscience experiments using C. elegans and related lab skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct neuroscience experiments with C. elegans: genetic crosses, microscopy, behavioral assays, and molecular biology.
• Maintain safety compliance: chemical inventory in RSS system, BUAs and SOPs, and safety requirements.
• Order supplies and assist student researchers as needed.
• Promote a respectful lab environment with equitable opportunities for all students.

Skills

C. elegans neuroscience experiments

Safety compliance experience

Diversity and inclusion mindset

Laboratory safety procedures

Education

BS in Biology or Chemistry

MS in Cell and Molecular Biology or Biochemistry

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Google Docs

Google Sheets

Google Drive

NIH ImageJ

Job description

OUR STATEMENT

The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.

This Research Assistant will support and conduct neuroscience research in the VanHoven Laboratory at SJSU.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION

This Research Assistant will support and conduct neuroscience research in the VanHoven Laboratory at SJSU. The Research Assistant is responsible for conducting neuroscience experiments using C. elegans, including genetic crosses, microscopy, behavioral assays, and molecular biology experiments. The Research Assistant is also responsible for safety compliance, including maintaining an updated chemical inventory in the RSS system, assisting with training new students, and staying in compliance with biological use authorizations (BUAs) and chemical standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other safety requirements. The Research Assistant is also responsible for ordering supplies and equipment as necessary, and assisting student researchers as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Function 1

• Conducting neuroscience experiments using C. elegans, including genetic crosses, microscopy, behavioral assays, and molecular biology experiments.

Function 2

• Ensuring safety compliance, including maintaining an updated chemical inventory in the RSS system, assisting with training new students, and staying in compliance with biological use authorizations (BUAs) and chemical standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other safety requirements.

Function 3

• R esponsible for ordering supplies and equipment as necessary, and assisting student researchers as needed.

Function 4

• Responsible for promoting a respectful laboratory environment with equitable opportunities for all students.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

1) Reports to Dr. Miri VanHoven.

2) Frequently interacts with research students in the VanHoven Laboratory.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No direct supervisory responsibilities, but helps to train research students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Biology or Chemistry and two years of experience doing research in a biology or chemistry laboratory.
• Demonstrated commitment to value diversity and contribute to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Preferred Quali fications

• MS in Cell and Molecular Biology or Biochemistry

Additional Requirements

• Must have at least two years of experience conducting neuroscience experiments using C. elegans, including genetic crosses, microscopy, behavioral assays, and molecular biology experiments.
• Must have at least one year of experience with safety compliance, including maintaining an updated chemical inventory in the RSS system, assisting with training new students, and staying in compliance with biological use authorizations (BUAs) and chemical standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other safety requirements.
• Must be able to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, NIH ImageJ Software.

Desired Accomplishments

• A preferred qualification would be a research publication in the area of biology or chemistry.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to perform microscopy, manipulate microorganisms, pipet, make solutions, and do molecular biology and other laboratory tasks at high capacity throughout the working day.

NOTE:

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current SJSURF employees who apply for the position.

Compensation Range:

$25-$30/hr

BENEFITS

The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).
• Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.
• Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.
• 14 paid federal & state holidays.
• Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.
• Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.
• Employee discounts.
• Paid training and professional-development conferences.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at [e-mail]. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information.

ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION

SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San Jose State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization's funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an Affinity Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment practices such as recruitment, selection, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment are administered in a manner designed to ensure that employees and applicants are not subjected to discrimination. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. This policy is in accordance with federal, state and local laws and reaffirms the Research Foundation's continuing commitment to both the spirit and intent of equal employment opportunity laws and policies.

San Jose State University Research Foundation is an EOE M/F/Vet/Disability. Learn more about our organizations EEO and AAP policy by visiting our website HERE. Data metrics on the AAP is available for review upon request. Please also visit OFCCP for additional resources: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.

If you have any questions or need assistance or an accommodation in completing this application, please contact Research Foundation HR at [phone].