Temporary Research Assistant

Florida International University; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida International University in Miami is seeking a temporary Research Assistant for the Chemistry Department. Duties include conducting molecular mechanism research related to Friedreich’s ataxia, assisting plasmid amplification for transfections in neural and cardiac cells, and validating plasmids via sequencing after guide RNA cloning.

Requirements include a high school diploma with experience or some post-secondary education, plus strong communication skills and the ability to manage

Qualifications

• High school diploma with three (3) years of experience or two (2) years of post-secondary education with one (1) year of experience; OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.
• Demonstrated experience monitoring progress or performance indicators, maintaining confidential records.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally and empathetically.
• Demonstrated ability to organize work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, maintain accurate documentation, and follow established procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, videoconferencing platforms, learning-management systems or comparable online platforms, and electronic recordkeeping systems.
• Ability to work and maintain the confidentiality in accordance with University requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on molecular mechanisms underlying frataxin gene-targeted histone demethylation in Friedreich’s ataxia.
• Amplify plasmids to transfect Friedreich’s ataxia neural and cardiac cells to test histone demethylation effects.
• Validate plasmids using restriction enzyme digestion and Sanger sequencing after cloning guide RNAs into plasmids.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Organizational skills

Task prioritization

Documentation

Professional communication

Education

High school diploma

Two years of post-secondary education with one year experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Videoconferencing platforms

Learning-management systems

Electronic recordkeeping systems

Job description

About FIU

Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 340,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.

Job Summary

The Chemistry Department is curently seeking for a temporary research assistant to join their team of professionals. Duties to include:

• Conduct research on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the frataxin gene-targeted histone demethylation in contracting the expanded GAA repeat in Friedreich’s ataxia.
• Help to amplify the plasmids that will be used to transfect into Friedreich’s ataxia neural and cardiac cells and tissues to test the effects of histone demethylation on the expanded GAA repeats in Friedreich’s ataxia cells and tissues.
• Validate the plasmids using restriction enzyme digestion and Sanger DNA sequencing after various guide RNAs are cloned into the plasmids.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma with three (3) years of experience or two (2) years of post-secondary education with one (1) year of experience; OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

Desired Qualifications

Demonstrated experience monitoring progress or performance indicators, maintaining confidential records.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally and empathetically.

Demonstrated ability to organize work independently, prioritize multiple tasks, maintain accurate documentation, and follow established procedures.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, videoconferencing platforms, learning-management systems or comparable online platforms, and electronic recordkeeping systems.

Ability to work and maintain the confidentiality in accordance with University requirements.

Temporary Disclosure

As a temporary employee, you will not be eligible to participate in all employee benefit programs (e.g., paid leave, retirement, or tuition reimbursement).

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), a temporary employee who works on average 30 hours or more per week may be eligible to enroll in health care benefits. As a temporary employee, you are also eligible to enroll in supplemental plans (e.g. dental, vision,) which requires full payment on your part.

Upon completing an assignment, employees may apply for a position on FIU Careers.

Job Category

Temporary

Work Schedule

Mon - Fri 8:30am-5pm

1 Year

Advertised Salary

$15 per hour

Pre-Employment Requirements

Disclosures

Clery Notice

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the University Police department at Florida International University provides information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three (3) calendar years. The FIU Annual Security report is available online at: https://police.fiu.edu/download/annual-security-fire-safety-report/

To obtain a paper copy of the report, please visit the FIU Police Department located at 885 SW 109th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33199 (PG5 Market Station).

Pay Transparency

Florida International University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affiantive Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment decisions, programs, and events without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination, contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights at 305.348.2785 or email [e-mail].

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a University event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or [e-mail]. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.