Research Assistant II - Laboratory of Dr. Julie Law

About the Role

This Research Assistant II position will support the laboratory of Dr. Julie Law, focusing on chromatin and gene regulation. The role is part of the Harnessing Plants Initiative’s (HPI) CO2 Removal on a Planetary Scale (CRoPS) program, which aims to develop crop plants that sequester more carbon via extensive root systems containing recalcitrant carbon polymers to fight climate change. The Research Assistant II will work closely with Dr. Law and fellow lab members to perform various molecular biology and microscopy techniques in support of research projects aimed at understanding gene regulation at the genetic and epigenetic levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct molecular and biotechnology techniques, including genotyping reporter and mutant lines
• Assist in designing novel constructs and optimize cloning strategies
• Assess the expression of reporter lines via staining, imaging, and/or western blotting
• Screen mutants and inducible plant lines for desired traits
• Record and analyze all data and observations in an appropriate electronic lab notebook
• Prepare technical reports, summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses, ensuring experiments are well documented
• Collaborate with and discuss results with the rest of the research team
• Prepare solutions, reagents, and media plates
• Grow and maintain plant lines
• Organize plant lines and construct stocks
• Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action
• Follow general instruction on routine work, and detailed instructions on new assignments
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. A minimum of 4 years of experience in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelor's degree in a different discipline
• Minimum 2 years' experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office, statistical analysis, graphing, and presentation of data

Preferred Skills

• Prior experience or internships in a laboratory setting
• Prior experience in biological research, ideally with Arabidopsis thaliana
• Demonstrated experience and application of molecular biology knowledge, specifically with plant development and molecular genetics
• Demonstrated experience with confocal microscopy and plant roots
• Demonstrated experience in sample preparation: staining, embedding, slicing, etc.
• Demonstrated experience with routine molecular biology skills: primer design, PCR, qPCR, molecular cloning, DNA/RNA extractions, bacterial transformation, and plasmid DNA extraction
• Demonstrated experience in basic coding
• Knowledge of relevant regulations and compliance standards

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $21.00 to $25.00 hourly. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that support Salk's pursuit of excellence. The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.