Position Objective

Working under general supervision, the Research Assistant 2 will plan and carry out research projects in accordance with general research guidelines. Responsibilities include planning and performing experiments on projects related to cardiac contractile function. The research assistant will work closely with other lab members and focus on research involving characterization of in vivo cardiac function utilizing ultrasound echocardiography. The research assistant will perform a wide array of cellular and molecular biology experiments using gel electrophoresis, western blots, bacterial transformation and culture, and other in vitro techniques. This position will utilize various molecular and in vivo methods to bridge the gap of understanding between molecular observations and cardiac function. This position will work with animals.

Essential Functions 

1. Plan and carry out research projects that characterize in vivo cardiac function utilizing ultrasound echocardiography. Specific tasks will be related to, but not limited to, evaluating the efficacy of small molecules and gene therapy by systemic delivery in reversing systolic and diastolic dysfunction in genetic and acquired heart failure models. (50%) 
2. Conduct a series of experiments to supply scientific information as part of a larger project. Collect, quantify and analyze data from general molecular biology experiments, including expression levels of cardiac proteins by various gel electrophoresis techniques, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. (25%)
3. May assist in developing improved techniques, projection methods or procedures related to immunostaining of whole heart sections, isolated muscle fibers, and myofibrils. (10%) 

4. Prepare and present research results in lab meetings. Train new staff, direct the work of students. (10%) 

    

NonEssential Functions

1. Oversee inventory and standard operating procedures. Maintain equipment, prepare buffer/media/reagents, and dispose biohazardous waste. Maintain lab records. (4%) 

2. Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

    

CONTACTS

Department: Weekly contact with investigators to discuss research, research education, direction, goals and time management. Frequent contact with laboratory employees in collaboration in common research project.

University: Occasional interaction with other faculty in the department and the university to provide updates on common collaborative research projects. Utilize core university facilities for experimentation and maintain strong relationship with core mangers for research collaborations. 

External: Occasional communication with research collaborators from other institutions to exchange information. 

Students: Occasional contact with students and to assist students with their research projects.

Supervisory Responsibility 

No direct supervisory responsibilities. Train new staff and direct the work of students.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education: Bachelor's degree and 1 to 3 years of experience, or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 2 to 4 years of experience required. Bachelor's degree in molecular biology or related scientific field preferred. Experience with molecular biology techniques such as cell culture and protein purifications preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS 

Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices and procedures in chemistry, physics, biochemistry and molecular/cellular biology and in vivo cardiovascular function. 

Able to perform various molecular biology techniques. 

Able to use custom software and computational tools to analyze indices of cardiac function. 

Previous experience working with