Research Assistant - Cardiology
BASIC FUNCTION
Provide administrative, operational, and research support in a cardiovascular lab conducting basic and translational science focusing on understanding the mechanisms of atherosclerotic plaque regression, discovery of aptamers that bind to cardiovascular tissues for use as diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and database research to elucidate cardiovascular comorbidities in rare populations including patients on gender affirming hormone therapy and patients with rare genetic conditions including Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, and Chronic Granulomatous Disease. Streeter Lab | The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by other research staff or principal investigator of the research project.
- Read and review articles as directed.
- As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypothesis for discussion with other researchers or principal investigator.
Conduct Experiments:
- Learn and assist in common lab research protocols and develop additional protocols as needed.
- Arrange and plan daily activities to prepare for research protocols.
- Set up and operate research materials or equipment.
- Perform procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.
- Recruit, consent and enroll research subjects; perform varied tasks in the research environment (lab, clinic, field, classroom).
- Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.
- Collect, record and consolidate data as directed by the Principal Investigator.
- Track progress of research activities.
- Adhere to Quality Assurance protocols to maintain validity and integrity of research data.
- As individual skills develop: troubleshoot, analyze and propose modifications to protocols; perform complex techniques per protocol; test and evaluate current procedures; develop and implement procedures for monitoring data integrity; pay present results at team meetings.
- Perform husbandry and genotyping of genetically engineered mouse lines.
Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications:
- Collect and track, perform data entry for reports and maintain records of methods used.
- Prepare materials for reports.
- As skills develop, analyze data.
- Prepare bibliographies and abstracts for publications.
- May present results/finding at team and departmental meetings.
- Summarize literature reviewed and assist in writing grants and manuscripts based on literature review.
Administrative and Project Management:
- Assist with IRB, ACURF or similar protocol submissions, if applicable.
- Track various indicators of project progress and summarize in reports to the research team.
- Assist in documenting compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
- Obtain subject consent and assist with IRB and IACUC submissions or equivalent protocol, if applicable.
- Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.
- Track inventory of equipment, supplies, reagents, animals. Order needed items, initiate purchasing requests, monitor accounts/expenditures; reconcile statements.
Facilities and Equipment Management:
- Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.
Supervision/Staffing:
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Functional supervision may be exercised over support staff and students.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Experience with mouse colony set up and maintenance including inbreeding and general animal husbandry is required.
- Experience performing cell and tissue cultures is required.
- Experience in operating, troubleshooting, cleaning and maintaining laboratory equipment including spectrophotometer and centrifuge is required.
- Experience compiling data, performing data analyses and writing summary reports is required.
- Experience performing qPCR, qRT-PCR, digital droplet PCR, DNA sequencing, ChIP-seq, mRNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, immunoblots, co-immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridizations desired.
- Experience performing DNA, RNA, and protein preparation and purification is desired.
- Experience with ordering lab supplies, maintaining EHS compliance and training graduate students is desired.
- Experience working in an academic research institution environment is desired.
Position and Application Details
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact ashley-rayer@uiowa.edu.
Equal opportunity/affirmative action employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
