Sr Research Specialist

at  University of Rochester

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• PhD preferred.
• 5 years of related work experience involving direct assistance to researchers or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Experience in handling and use of laboratory animals, infectious agents, and chemicals required.
• Prior experience in managing an academic research laboratory and handling research animals, tissue culture, molecular and cell biology methodology and/or knowledge of immunologically-based techniques preferred.
• Prior experience in next generation sequencing (including RNA sequencing library design and preparation for Illumina sequencing platforms), bioinformatics, and data handling, as well as experience in independent research in DNA methylation and bisulfite pyrosequencing preferred.
• Operational understanding of complex laboratory equipment, including pyrosequencer required.
• Demonstrated mathematical skills including basic algebra and the ability to use scientific notation required.
• An ability to work independently and as a member of a team required.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to use common sense, communication skills, and demonstrate attention to detail required.
• Must be able to work some evenings and weekends to conduct experiments required.
• Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office software including Powerpoint, Excel, and Word required.
• Experiential knowledge of the workings of a research laboratory, including general knowledge of genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology methods. Microscopy skills are beneficial required.
• Ability to design, organize, and analyze experimental data that serves as an invaluable tool in the publication of papers in scientific journals and obtaining future funding required.
  The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Provide direct research and teaching support at the professional level by taking charge of a segment of research activities with moderate complexities in the Susiarjo laboratory. Responsible for conducting and analyzing experiments that comprise a coherent part of a larger project, which includes investigating gene-environment interactions during pregnancy and studying how exposures to endocrine disruptors modulates maternal and fetal health in mice; researching and resolving technical problems within the scope of those experiments. Supervise daily aspects of the lab, such as planning and participating in experiments with other laboratory personnel. Supervise and train all laboratory personnel on all aspects of animal care, maintenance, and standard laboratory practices. Handling and use of laboratory animals and chemicals will be required. Training in the safe handling of laboratory mice and chemicals is required and will be provided.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as laboratory manager, overseeing the establishment and operation of the Susiarjo research laboratory. Works independently with only occasional suggestions to modify, vary or adapt standard laboratory procedures to perform research related activities to meet the specialized needs of the research projects of the Principal Investigator. Assist Principal Investigator with writing grants, manuscripts for publication, and oral presentation including reading and interpreting primary scientific literature, preparing written summaries of this material, and preparing presentation material. Analyze and interpret acquired data, including appropriate statistical analyses; prepare data summary reports, including tables and figures and make recommendations for future studies. Strict adherence to written SOPs is required, as is detailed, daily record keeping. Manages laboratory budgets, maintaining updated records of all laboratory expenditures. Places, tracks, and organizes all orders. Maintains the order and cleanliness of the lab. Organizes lab meetings and journal club schedule. Coordinates contact with a partner research laboratory at other universities and coordinates shipments of samples between them.
• Independently manage all animal care, overseeing and maintaining genetically engineered rodent colonies. Maintains updated animal care records. Responsible for ordering and breeding of rodents for laboratory use, ensuring maintenance is compliant with DLAM and UCAR; prepare and maintain UCAR paperwork. Assists with experimental procedures, including dietary exposures to endocrine disruptors, time-mating, animal surgeries, anesthesia maintenance, tissue dissection, and harvest, histology, microscopic analysis of tissue, and data analyses. Train and supervise all laboratory members to complete these duties. Analyzes and evaluates experimental data and interprets results within the scope of the study. Coordinate transfer and shipment of animals when needed.
• Supervises and trains all laboratory members. Trains and teaches students and laboratory staff in various laboratory techniques and instrumentation procedures including (1) molecular biology assays; (2) the preparation and pharmacological administration of reagents to animal subjects; (3) animal handling and management for tissue removal, harvest, and collection; (4) tissue preparation for various methods including RNA isolation, immunohistochemical and cytochemical analyses, biochemical and molecular biology assays. Counsels students and laboratory staff on technical problems, advises and assists them with special research projects, and maintains and updates the lab calendar. Works closely with the Principal Investigator in establishing genetic and epigenetic assays to be utilized by all laboratory staff. Ensures that health and safety practices are maintained in accordance with University policy and law.
• Assists in writing approved laboratory protocols and SOPs for research; develops and modifies test methods, selects procedures for data collection and handling; works with UCAR, USDA, veterinary staff, AAALAC URMC Pharmacy; prepares for and hosts laboratory inspections.
• Responsible for ensuring laboratory’s maintenance of computer records for laboratory supplies, animals, and equipment are kept up-to-date; ensures maintenance of chemical inventory is up-to-date and is in compliance with guidelines set by Environmental Health & Safety. Oversees and maintains records for hazardous waste disposal. Ensures that all laboratory staff are in compliance with Federal, State, and University regulations for use of laboratory animals and radioactivity, and general laboratory health and safety.
• Evaluates and maintains research equipment: repair and maintenance of equipment; recommends expenditures for lab equipment; maintains an updated inventory of all laboratory equipment. Independently operates complex research equipment and tools, imaging projects, and machining tasks.
  Other duties as assigned