Laboratory Research Specialist or Research Assistant

he University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, is currently recruiting a Contractual Laboratory Research Assistant or Specialist. 

The position will conduct experiments uncovering the cellular and molecular mechanisms of olfactory dysfunction associated with aging and Alzheimer’s Disease in the laboratory of Drs. Fuwen Zhou and Adam Puche (shared lab) in the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

This new 5-year NIH supported project is aimed at investigating the olfactory function of adult, normal aging, and animal models of neurodegenerative disease in experiments spanning from the genome to cells, to circuits, and to behavior.

Please submit a cover letter with your application that describes how your experience makes you a good fit for this job opportunity.

Benefits: Contingent Category II 

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs; limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job). 

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.  All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland. 

Daily job responsibilities may include:

·       Manage mouse colony maintenance (main duty);

·       Perform (or assist with) small animal stereotaxic surgeries and post-operative care;

·       Perform small animal behavioral testing;

·       Conduct routine and advanced laboratory techniques, such as western blotting, immunocytochemistry and confocal imaging;

·       Support general laboratory administrative operations, including but not limited to, ordering supplies, reconciling supply purchasing accounts, maintaining laboratory records; assist developing or reviewing laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs), etc.;

·       Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities, including but not limited to, organizing the lab, preparing solutions, media, stains and buffers;

·       Assistant with data analysis using various relevant computer software applications

·       Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations, and computer graphics for publication;

·       Assist with creation and management of research compliance administration;

·       Assist with laboratory educational duties, such as training and guiding students and/or other laboratory personal.

Primary Duties:

Laboratory Research Assistant:

·       Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities such as: general housekeeping, wipe tests, ELISA assays, preparing solutions, media, stains, and buffers; cultures and specimens; autoradiograms and photomicrographs, executing biochemical procedures such as: electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, and DNA extractions, etc.

·       May perform advanced laboratory research activities such as: animal surgery, microscopy techniques, imaging techniques, recombinant DNA techniques, protein purification, and hybridizations, etc. May participate in the design of research studies.

·       Compile and may analyze research data using various relevant computer software applications.
Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations and computer graphics for publication.

·       Perform administrative duties such as: training and guiding students and/or other laboratory technicians; assisting in developing policies, procedures and/or methods for laboratory experimentation; and ordering supplies.

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

Primary Duties:

Laboratory Research Specialist:

·       Perform independent project(s) and participate in the design of research studies. Compile, analyze, and interpret research data using various relevant computer software applications.

·       Independently perform day to day laboratory research activities such as: general housekeeping, daily observations of animal health; collection of cultures and biological specimens for diagnostic testing and monitoring of animal health; diagnostic molecular (ELISA), bacteriological, or biological assays; breeding colonization processes; irradiation of blood products; and executing biochemical or hematopoietic procedures such as: bone marrow aspirations, complete blood count, white cell differential, electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, PCR and DNA extractions, etc.; and may require performing psychological enrichment of certain species.

·       Administer day-to-day laboratory operations including monitoring the budget, ensuring quality control and safety compliance, developing policies and procedures, and ordering supplies. Maintain proper operation of research equipment, ensuring proper operation records, cleaning, ordering of required components and explaining/resolving technical issues.

·       Conduct library research and participates in editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations and computer graphics for publication. Contribute to the preparation of journal articles and grant proposals. Presents research findings.
Prepare materials for research studies, including sample collection kits and research documents.

·       Assist in the training of undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral, international fellows, and/or junior technical personnel in the performance of a variety of laboratory techniques.

·       Perform other related duties as assigned.

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

Laboratory Research Assistant Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, or a related field or discipline required.

Experience: N/A

Supervisory Experience: N/A

Certification/Licensure: N/A

Other: May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials and/or ionizing radiation.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

Laboratory Research Specialist Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or field of study related to the research of the laboratory.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience including two (2) years in the relevant research specialization.

Supervisory Experience: NA

Certification/Licensure: NA

Other: May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials and/or ionizing radiation.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

Preferred Experience:

Maintaining mouse colonies, performance of small animal stereotaxic surgeries and performance of small animal behavioral testing

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Previous experience working with mice is required. Ability to sit for long periods of time (sessions of 4 hours or less) with sustained focus, head or body tilted forward, is required to perform benchwork and small animal surgery. Ability to stay in a dark room for several hours (sessions of 4 hours or less) at a time is required to perform microscopy or small animal behavioral testing. The ability to lift 25 pounds and climb a stepstool is required for reaching/stocking supplies. Basic computer skills as well as experience with Microsoft Office. Ability to converse fluently (verbal and written) in the standard international research language (English).

Hiring Ranges (Commensurate with education and experience):

Laboratory Research Assistant: $48,000 - $51,000

Laboratory Research Specialist: $64,000 - $72,000

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification. 

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact leave_and_accom@umaryland.edu   Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. 

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.