Research Assistant Grade II/III

About the role

You will play a key role in supporting advanced cell culture and organoid-based research within NGNRI's Cell Culture and Organoid Facility. This position is open to candidates at varying experience levels, with responsibilities tailored accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and advanced mammalian cell culture, including maintenance of primary cells, stem cells, and derived cell types
• Support generation, maintenance, and characterization of organoids and related 3D culture systems
• Execute experimental protocols under supervision, including differentiation, treatment, and assay workflows
• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in accordance with NGNRI standards
• Assist in optimization and standardization of protocols to improve reproducibility and scalability
• Prepare reagents, media, and materials required for experiments
• Perform basic quality control procedures (e.g., cell viability, contamination monitoring, morphological assessment)
• Support implementation of laboratory organization, inventory management, and equipment maintenance
• Collaborate with other platform teams (e.g., screening, genome engineering) as needed
• Adhere to all biosafety, regulatory, and ethical guidelines

About You

• High integrity and commitment to rigorous scientific standards
• Eager to learn and develop new technical skills
• Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented
• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
• Adaptable and responsive to feedback
• Motivated by contributing to meaningful biomedical research

Preferred Qualifications

• RA Grade II (Intermediate): Bachelor's or Master's degree with 1-3+ years of relevant laboratory experience, minimum of 2 years hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, familiarity with sterile technique and basic cell-based assays, ability to execute experiments with moderate independence
• RA Grade III (Advanced): Bachelor's or Master's degree with 3-5+ years of relevant experience, proven experience with stem cell culture, organoids, or complex in vitro systems, demonstrated capability to work independently and support junior staff, strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducibility, maintain excellent organization and meticulous documentation of experimental procedures and results, proficiency in both spoken and written English communication, effective communication and teamwork abilities, willingness to work in a dynamic, fast-paced research environment

What You'll Get

We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We've got your back.

About Us

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery. Located within a new, state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms-including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies-and provides access to extensive shared core facilities. NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field.