Research Associate III - Lahiri Lab - Department of Neurology

About the Role

The Research Associate III works closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) to provide technical and/or administrative support in large or multi-project oriented labs. The incumbent may take on specific supervisory activities, provide administrative leadership, and/or technical expertise. Responsibilities include developing hypotheses, assisting in planning investigative processes, and staying current with relevant literature. This position coordinates all lab and/or clinical activities, including budgetary/financial compliance, preparation of grant proposals, and creating independent presentations.

Responsibilities

• Provides miscellaneous clinical/research support (ad hoc data analysis, hypothesis development, programming, troubleshooting, etc.).
• Organizes clinical/research trials in conjunction with the Principal Investigator and sponsor and/or funding source.
• Monitors and ensures compliance with safety standards and procedures.
• Analyzes data and prepares scientific findings for publication as author or co-author.
• May make independent presentations.
• May provide system administration and maintenance for the local workstation network.
• Leads and trains Research Lab Assistants, Research Fellows, lower level Research Associates, and other related support staff.
• Orients new Research Fellows and/or Research Scientists to day-to-day lab operations and procedures.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Ensures animal surgical surfaces and equipment are clean and organized.
• Ensures the animal surgical area is compliant with all CSMC and Comparative Medicine policies and procedures.
• Ensures pharmaceuticals are dispensed per protocol, appropriate supplies maintained, secured, and disposed of according to established policies and procedures.
• Performs intubation, mechanical ventilation, vascular catheterization, and line placement for physiological monitoring in rats and mice.
• Works collaboratively with biomedical imaging staff to obtain advanced cerebral and systemic physiological imaging.
• Performs stereotaxic surgery techniques, including cisternal infusions, on rats and mice.
• Performs tail vein and retroorbital injections in mice, oral lavaging in rodents, vaccination, and survival studies, and measures permeability constants using quantitative autoradiography.
• Uses cutting-edge histology/imaging techniques, including quantitative bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy.
• Performs routine biomedical experimental protocols, including immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, ELISA, and neuronal cell culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a Science-related field is required.
• Three to five (3-5) years of experience in an area of research specialization.
• Technical skills and expertise in an area of study, including but not limited to Molecular/Cellular Biology, Neuroscience, engineering, or mass spectrometry.
• Experience in cutting-edge histology/imaging techniques, including quantitative bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and electron microscopy.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, PowerPoint) and analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for interaction with peers, patients, physicians, and other customers of the medical center.

Physical Demands

• Ability to handle small laboratory animals.
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods.
• Ability to use a microscope and other laboratory equipment.
• Ability to lift at least 20 pounds.