Research Assistant IV

About the Role

Conduct independent and directed scientific studies and research in support of a Principal Investigator's research relating to the isolation of immune cells from inflamed tissues and preparation of nuclei for multiome analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform experiments and record data.
• Follow and formulate existing protocols as well as develop, verify, standardize, and establish new published procedures.
• Independently reproduce, evaluate, research, and improve techniques currently used in the lab such as DNA, RNA, and protein extractions, western blotting and mammalian cell culture.
• Perform lentiviral transduction experiments and select cells with successful transduction and integration.
• Isolate and stimulate immune cells and optimize subsequent molecular protocols to be used to assess these cells.
• Analyze data, perform statistical and graphical analysis of data, and interpret flow cytometry results from stimulated immune cells.
• Prepare libraries for assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and pool libraries for sequencing.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of all laboratory work and experiments relating to immune cells.
• Modify existing procedures as necessary to troubleshoot or make modifications based on changes in research design.
• Maintain protocol and assay accuracy by conducting regular quality and reproducibility checks.
• Maintain inventory of laboratory supplies and equipment, and operate laboratory apparatus and equipment for isolation of immune cells from inflamed tissues and preparation of nuclei for multiome analysis.
• Communicate with team members and contribute to their growth by sharing knowledge, experience, and skills.
• Assist in training postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and junior laboratory personnel in laboratory techniques and equipment.
• Contribute and write material for reports, publications, journal articles, and abstracts and maintain an integral role in the laboratory's meetings, presentations, and publications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry, biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or biochemistry.
• 1 year of experience in conducting independent and directed scientific studies and research in a lab setting.
• 1 year of experience in isolating and stimulating immune cells in a biosafety level 2 laboratory and optimizing subsequent molecular protocols to be used to assess these cells.
• 1 year of experience in working independently and as part of a team in an academic research lab.
• 1 year of experience in isolating inflamed blood cells from small amounts (less than 3 mL) of peripheral blood.
• 1 year of experience in isolating RNA, DNA, chromatin, nuclear lysates, and cytoplasmic lysates from cells with subsequent quality assessment of isolated materials.
• 1 year of experience in performing Western blot analysis with proficiency in Empiria Studio.
• 1 year of experience in performing flow cytometry to measure expression of proteins on a single cell level using antibody staining for extracellular and intracellular epitopes with proficiency in DB FACSDiva and FlowJo for quantification and analysis.
• 1 year of experience in development of research protocols.
• 1 year of experience in optimizing biochemical protocols with primary cells derived from inflamed tissues.
• 2 years of experience in providing Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) training.
• 2 years of experience in handling disposal of chemicals.
• 1 year of experience collaborating and coordinating with a physician around experimental logistics of obtaining research samples from a clinical encounter.

Pay & Schedule

• Salary range: $55,786 - $82,347
• Schedule: Full time, Day shift
• Weekly hours: 40
• FTE: 1

Benefits

Additional pay (e.g., shift, on-call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply.

About Cincinnati Children's

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding
• Recognized as one of America's Best Large Employers (2025), America's Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation's America's Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune
• Consistently certified as great place to work
• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability
• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)