Research Associate - Gorska Lab

National Jewish Health; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 59,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

National Jewish Health is offering a postdoctoral position in the Gorska Lab to study non-genetic inheritance of allergic diseases. The lab investigates how parental environmental exposures influence offspring predisposition to allergies and asthma, using mouse models and human tissues.

The incumbent will perform independent experimental investigations, collaborate with PIs and senior researchers, and mentor laboratory staff.

Qualifications

• MD or PhD in biology, chemistry or other basic science discipline required.
• A minimum of 3 years of specified experience in technical investigatory techniques required.
• Special Training, Certification or Licensure: None

Responsibilities

• Performs, on a very independent basis, all phases of experimental investigations, to include being responsible to the Principal Investigator in the planning, developing, operating, recording, collaborating and reporting of major projects.
• Collaborates with Principal Investigators and senior researchers in the progress of major research projects.
• Provides guidance to laboratory staff in one or more laboratory areas, including technicians, support and auxiliary staff; serves as primary contact with researcher staff for technical services on major techniques, recording devices and statistical procedures.
• Reviews quality control of new or modified laboratory techniques which affect any part of major projects.
• Performs routine and non-routine tests leading to the successful completion of developed experiments.

Skills

Technical investigatory techniques

Education

MD or PhD in biology, chemistry or other basic science discipline

Job description

A postdoctoral position is available in the Gorska Lab at National Jewish Health (http://www.njhealth.org/gorska-lab) to study non-genetic inheritance of allergic diseases.

Non-genetic inheritance is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring through mechanisms that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence. The key triggers of non-genetic inheritance are parental environmental exposures. Non-genetic inheritance of environmental information is postulated to influence allergic diseases. Parental environmental exposures can either promote offspring predisposition to allergic disease, or help offspring develop disease resistance. As such, childhood allergic diseases positively associate with maternal exposure to air pollutants, and negatively, with maternal exposure to the farming environment. Our lab studies the underlying mechanisms.

The goals of the lab are to define maternal information that is gained and transmitted to offspring, or lost and not transferred to offspring, elucidate routes of information transfer (placenta, breast milk, gametes), delineate offspring cells that receive maternal information, reveal epigenetic alterations, and study how these cells and epigenetic alterations contribute to the development of allergies and asthma. The lab has particular interest in the immune system. The translational goals are to identify early-life biomarkers of predisposition to allergies and asthma in humans and define targets for development of preventive drugs.

To accomplish these goals, our lab uses mouse models, human tissue samples, and a variety of immunological, molecular, epigenetic, epigenomics and transcriptomics approaches.

Position Summary

To perform, on a very independent basis, all phases of experimental investigations and to collaborate with Principal Investigators and senior researchers in the progress of major research projects. To act as technical advisor to laboratory technical, support and auxiliary staff.

Essential Duties

• Performs, on a very independent basis, all phases of experimental investigations, to include being responsible to the Principal Investigator in the planning, developing, operating, recording, collaborating and reporting of major projects.
• Collaborates with Principal Investigators and senior researchers in the progress of major research projects.
• Provides guidance to laboratory staff in one or more laboratory areas, including technicians, support and auxiliary staff. Performs as the technical advisor on techniques involving complex analyses utilizing highly sophisticated techniques. Serves as primary contact with researcher staff for technical services on major techniques, recording devices and statistical procedures relative to the specifically assigned field.
• Reviews quality control of new or modified laboratory techniques which affect any part of major projects.
• Performs routine and non-routine tests leading to the successful completion of developed experiments. Knows and follows age-specific guidelines.

Other Duties

• Performs as a back-up to staff absences and vacancies, as necessary.

Competencies

• Accountability: Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member; displays honesty and truthfulness; confronts problems quickly; displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; demonstrates a commitment to National Jewish Health.
• Laboratory Knowledge: Demonstrates and understands laboratory testing and methodology.
• Decision Quality: Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement. Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
• Adaptability: Maintains effectiveness in the midst of change in work responsibilities or environment, requirements ambiguity, or stress.
• Problem Solving: Uses issue identification, data relation and comparison, pattern recognition and information gathering to create analyses and make recommendations.
• Informing/Communicating: Conveys ideas, responses, or instructions effectively, appropriately, and persuasively through writing or speech.
• Professional Relationships: Interacts with others in a constructive, positive, and respectful manner, regardless of individual differences. Assists team members or co-workers in achieving personal goals and completing assignments.
• Drive for Excellence: Consistently meets performance expectations, ensures that accurate, objective, and timely measures of quality are made and used.
• Innovation Management: Identifies key trends, opportunities, and organizational capabilities that would bring competitive advantage to the organization. Sees trends before others and integrates concepts in a unique way.

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility

None

Travel

None

Core Values

• Be available to work as scheduled and report to work on time.
• Be willing to accept supervision and work well with others.
• Be well groomed, appropriately for your role and wear ID Badge visibly.
• Be in compliance with all departmental and institutional policies, the Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct and completes NetLearning by due date annually.
• Promotes a workplace culture based on mutual respect and merit, where all individuals are treated fairly and provided with equal opportunity to contribute to the mission and goals of the institution.
• Adheres to safe working practices and at all times follows all institutional and departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Wears appropriate PPE as outlined by the infection control policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates compliance with all state, federal and all other regulatory agency requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: MD or PhD in biology, chemistry or other basic science discipline required.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 3 years of specified experience in technical investigatory techniques required
• Special Training, Certification or Licensure: None

Salary Range: $58,656.00 - $77,572.56

Benefits

At National Jewish Health, we recognize that our outstanding faculty and staff are the essence of our organization. For every aspect of health care, our employees are our greatest asset. With that in mind, we have designed a valuable, comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families.

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Multiple Cigna health plans for Colorado, regional office and remote employees. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) available to pair with some plans.
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO accruals to use for vacation and sick days, and six paid holidays, all compliant with Colorado state sick leave regulations.
• Dental & Vision Plans: Coverage effective the first of the month after hire.
• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with employer contributions after two years.
• Wellness Incentives: Earn up to $200 annually for preventive health activities.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually for full-time and part-time employees.
• Child Care Assistance: Childcare Flex Spending Account (FSA) with annual employer contribution.
• Loan Forgiveness: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer.
• Disability & Life Insurance: Employer-paid plans and optional buy-up choices.
• Voluntary Benefits: Full suite of coverage options such as Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Plan
• Exclusive Discounts: Savings on local services, insurance, and RTD bus passes.