Research Associate II -Surgery Chair, McGaha Lab

About the role

Dr. Tracy McGaha is seeking a Research Associate II to join his team. The research focuses on mechanisms regulating immune tolerance and inflammation, particularly the roles of negative feedback pathways, tissue-resident macrophages, and interactions between innate and adaptive immune cells in cancer and autoimmune disease. The laboratory has contributed to understanding how dying cell clearance maintains immune homeostasis, showing that defects in these pathways can drive autoimmunity while limiting effective anti-tumor immunity.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and increasingly complex laboratory tasks and procedures, developing technical expertise in one or more research areas.
• Participate in research activities, including investigation, technical testing/validation of results, and reporting findings.
• Execute a variety of experimental protocols and procedures to support research objectives.
• Design new complex or unusual protocols and techniques.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, troubleshooting unexpected outcomes.
• Order laboratory supplies and support laboratory operations.
• Maintain lab equipment, related records, and coordinate equipment use.
• Operate specialized equipment as required by the research area.
• Assist in preparing data for publication and/or presentation at scholarly meetings.
• Observe and comply with safety standards and procedures.
• Orient research laboratory assistants, lower-level research associates, and undergraduate student researchers on lab operations and routine procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least one (1) year of research laboratory experience; two (2) years is highly desired.
• Experience with mouse breeding, colony management, husbandry, and experimental planning preferred.
• Familiarity with routine laboratory procedures, experimental protocols, and overall lab organization.
• Highly motivated with the ability to work independently.
• Superior interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work across disciplines and functional units.
• Computer application experience.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with strong attention to detail.