Research Associate

Overview:
POSITION SUMMARY: 

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee, the Research Associate provides operational support to the laboratory. The Research Associate will perform research experiments as defined by the PI.

 

This is an open-rank posting (there are 4 levels of Research Associate) - candidates will be hired into the level commensurate with their experience.

Responsibilities:
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Research Associate I:

Perform laboratory experiments and may be responsible for a single research project.

Utilize all software relevant to experiment and equipment used.

Interpret data, form conclusions and decide on next steps under the direction of the PI or designee.

Maintain accurate records, may modify protocols with the approval of the PI or designee.

Review literature, publications and grants relevant to assigned projects.

Record results according to established lab, sponsor & university protocol

Assist with performing data analysis and/or mathematical computations.

Maintain a detailed lab notebook according to lab practice.

Present findings at lab/group meetings

Monitor laboratory supply levels and order as noted.

Prepare and label buffers, media, solutions, etc.

Assist with and comply with all safety regulation and infection control standards.

Train on IACUC, IRB, EHS, Radiation safety protocols

Comply with all applicable state, federal university, and sponsor policies and agreements.

Provide support with identifying problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions.

Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab.

Perform other duties as required.

 

Research Associate II:

Duties noted above plus:

May assist with the training of new lab personnel.

Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab.

May assist with drafting manuscript sessions.

 

Research Associate III:

Duties noted above plus:

Perform complex laboratory experiments and may be responsible for one or more independent research projects.

Perform in-depth data analysis and/or mathematical computations.

Compile and analyze data and present it in a format suitable for publication according to PI specifications.

May oversee laboratory supply levels and order as needed; negotiate with suppliers to optimize available resources.

Monitor laboratory equipment service contracts and monitor maintenance on laboratory equipment.

May manage general operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.

May create new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI.

Prioritize and perform several tasks or procedures simultaneously with attention to detail.

Perform duties and experiments with independence.

Provide training of new lab personnel.

May monitor laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.

May assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract funding.

Research Associate IV:

Duties noted above plus:

This position will contribute significantly to the management of the research program and will be involved in multiple aspects of the research projects and lab maintenance activities.

Independently design and perform multiple complex laboratory experiments.

Interpret data, form conclusions, and decide on next steps with a high degree of independence.

Maintain laboratory supply levels and order as noted.

Manage laboratory equipment service contracts and coordinate maintenance on laboratory equipment.

Monitor and enforce all safety regulations and infection control standards.

Identify and write standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab

Train on IACUC, EHS, Radiation safety protocols

Manage daily operations of the laboratory, including lab personnel, procedures, and projects.

Identify problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions.

Develop and implement new protocols and/or modify defined protocols, as necessary, and with the approval of the PI

Mentor and train lab personnel on proper lab conduct and techniques.

Manage laboratory spending in accordance with budget guidelines provided by PI or designee.

Assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract proposals.

Negotiate with vendors to optimize available resources.

Contribute independently to writing sections for manuscripts and grants.

Direct the activities of research support staff.

Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Research Associate I

Bachelor’s degree in Biological or Natural Science, or equivalent experience

Basic understanding of lab safety and protocols

Knowledge of Microsoft Office products

Ability to analyze data in a quantitative and objective manner.

Ability to work in a team environment.

 

Research Associate II

Requirements noted for RA I plus:

18 months of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 0 years with a related Master’s Degree.

 

Research Associate III

Requirements noted for RA I plus:

3+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 1 year relevant research experience with a related Master’s Degree

 

Research Associate IV

Requirements noted for RA I plus:

5+ years of relevant research experience with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological or Natural Science or 3+ years relevant research experience with a related Master’s degree.

Additional Information:
For Research Associates with less than 3 years experience: 

 

The activities of microbial communities have profound impacts on their plant and animal hosts as well as on ecosystem‐level processes. How microbes interact within these natural communities, however, remains largely unknown. The Shank lab addresses this gap by studying the chemical and physical interactions of bacteria and fungi with each other and their plant and human hosts. We use a mix of traditional microbiology and genetics, coculture screening, fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, and computational approaches to answer outstanding questions in microbial ecology and apply this knowledge to environmental and clinical challenges. The research in my lab is diverse, spanning environmental, mechanistic, and clinical questions (how do microbes degrade carbon in the soil? how do bacteria differentiate into biofilms? how can studying microbial interactions help us discover new antibiotics?) We are searching for an enthusiastic and motivated Research Associate to join our research group to work closely with other Shank lab members on a variety of microbiology, molecular biology, and screening projects. The Research Associate will thus ideally work well in a goal-oriented team setting, have strong communication and organizational skills, and be excited and willing to learn and apply new experimental techniques.

 

For Research Associates with 3+ years experience: 

 

The activities of microbial communities have profound impacts on their plant and animal hosts as well as on ecosystem‐level processes. How microbes interact within these natural communities, however, remains largely unknown. The Shank lab addresses this gap by studying the chemical and physical interactions of bacteria and fungi with each other and their plant and human hosts. We use a mix of traditional microbiology and genetics, coculture screening, fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry, and computational approaches to answer outstanding questions in microbial ecology and apply this knowledge to environmental and clinical challenges. The research in my lab is diverse, spanning environmental, mechanistic, and clinical questions (how do microbes degrade carbon in the soil? how do bacteria differentiate into biofilms? how can studying microbial interactions help us discover new antibiotics?) We are searching for an enthusiastic and motivated Research Associate to join our research group to work closely with other Shank lab members on a variety of microbiology, molecular biology, and screening projects. The Research Associate will thus ideally work well in a goal-oriented team setting, have excellent communication and organizational skills, and have a history of learning and applying new experimental techniques.

 

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