Research Associate - Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics

About Us

Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts research focusing on understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Position Type

Other Academic

Department

LSUPBRC ExD - Clinical Science (Juan Lertora (00057945))

Work Location

LSU - Pennington Biomedical

Pay Grade

Other Academic

Job Description

Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Research Associate 1 in Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics laboratory. The Research Associate provides scientific and technical support for basic, translational, and clinical research conducted within the Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Laboratory. Responsibilities include performing laboratory experiments, processing biological specimens, supporting clinical research activities, analyzing molecular and biological data, and assisting with the preparation of manuscripts, grant proposals, and scientific presentations. The incumbent works collaboratively with investigators and research staff to advance studies focused on molecular imaging, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic development while maintaining compliance with institutional, regulatory, and laboratory quality standards.

Major Responsibilities

• Support clinical and translational research studies by assisting with participant recruitment, informed consent, protocol implementation, regulatory compliance, and accurate documentation of study activities.
• Perform laboratory research activities, including blood and tissue collection, sample processing and preservation, and quality control procedures.
• Conduct bioinformatics analyses of next-generation sequencing (NGS), transcriptomics, and other omics datasets to support biomarker discovery and translational research objectives.
• Develop, maintain, and apply integrative multi-omic computational workflows using R, Python, Linux, and other bioinformatics tools to analyze, visualize, and interpret biological and clinical data.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary investigators on tracer studies, proteomics, metabolomics, and other translational research projects.
• Prepare publication-quality figures, data visualizations, manuscripts, grant materials, and scientific presentations while maintaining accurate research records and documentation.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, contribute to experimental design and data interpretation, and remain current with emerging laboratory and computational methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Experience with molecular biology and wet laboratory techniques, including cell culture, nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, library preparation, blood and tissue processing, or related laboratory methods.
• Experience analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS), transcriptomics, or other omics datasets using established bioinformatics and statistical methods.
• Proficiency in R and/or Python to perform data analysis, visualization, and reproducible computational workflows.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary translational research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences, Computational Biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience with biomarker discovery, multi-omic integration, or translational biomedical research.
• Experience with proteomics, metabolomics, spatial biology, multiplex imaging, or image analysis software.
• Experience working in an NIH-funded academic or biomedical research laboratory.

Additional Job Description

The position is 30 hours per week and is eligible for state benefits and retirement. Competencies: None

Special Instructions

Interested candidates should include a resume and a list of three (3) professional references to the online application. Professional references should be the name, title, company, and contact information from past employers. Professional references should include current or previous supervisors and/or coworkers. Personal references should not be considered for the reference check process. We will respect the request that we not contact a current employer. However, we will need to contact a prior supervisor if such a request is made. A letter of application/cover letter is recommended but not required. Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application.

Posting Date

July 23, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified)

August 6, 2026

Additional Position Information

Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.

Contact Information

Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or hrm@pbrc.edu.