Research Assistant

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s mission

• Apply standard scientific practices, techniques, and methods as appropriate for specific situation, correlate data, recognize discrepancies in results, and follow protocols through a series of related detailed steps or processes
• Contribute to cancer immunology experiments/tests in the laboratory/field to test, prove, or modify theoretical propositions on basis of research findings and experiences of others working in related technical areas; may include measurements and recording of observations, collecting, compiling and processing of data
• Organize data/findings for use in technical reports, documents, or oral/written presentations
• May coordinate operational activities in a research laboratory, providing support services to researchers and technicians
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and standards for lab operations to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the laboratory
• Coordinate ordering, maintaining appropriate inventory, storage, and maintenance of supplies, lab ware, and instruments essential to the operation of the lab
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  

None.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Required: High school diploma, associate degree, completion of a substantial body of undergraduate biology/biomedical course work, and/or 6-months of work experience in a scientific environment are desired. 

Preferred: Skills in immunology-based lab, such as tissue culture, mouse work, tissue digestion, and related preferred.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing using MS-Word.

• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.

• Communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature. 
• Perform scientific reasoning and analyses involving routine laboratory procedures. 

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Operate laboratory and experimental testing equipment. 
• May assist in surgical procedures on small animals. 
• Occasionally required to travel to local and campus locations.
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork, type on a keyboard, and complete research-related assays.
• Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs (3 flights) to move about the building. 
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 20 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled laboratory setting.  It is well lighted, and the noise level is moderate.

Regular (daily) exposure to rodent allergens is expected.  Rodent allergic reactions would be prohibitive to this position. 

Driving Requirements

If the employee is required to travel in performing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel.  Proof of a valid driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, LU Driving Approval, and liability insurance is required when driving in the performance of the employee’s position.

Time Type

Location

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.