Research Assistant/ Research Associate - Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant/ Research Associate - Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, provide scientific and technical assistance to complete laboratory based, clinical or population science research.  May assist in writing research protocols and in manuscript preparation.  Design and perform research protocols independently or as directed through training in more difficult or specialized procedures to meet the needs of the research protocol.

Research Assistant: 
Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research.  Design and perform experiments, recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates.  Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines.  Assist staff with experiments/research protocols as required. Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.

Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data.  Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.

Assist principal investigator with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data  to be used in preparing and presenting presentations for professional, scientific and academic conferences and submittal to academic and scholarly peer-reviewed journals. 

Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required.  Order and organize required research supplies and records.  Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station. 

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Research Associate:
Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research.  Design and perform experiments, recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates.  Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines.  Assist staff with experiments /research protocols as required.  Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.

Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data.  Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.

Prepare and present presentations regarding research results for professional, scientific and academic conferences.  Summarize and organize data results for submittal to academic and scholarly, peer-reviewed journals.  Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication. Fact-check, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy.

Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required.  Order and organize required research supplies and records.  Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station. 

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Unique duties:

Under the guidance of the GSC Associate Director, performs molecular genetics research in the field of human population and functional genomics. Junior and senior applicants will be considered. Principal duties and responsibilities: The successful candidate will work on functional and population genomics projects at the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics. The candidate will be expected to work independently on assigned projects as well as to carry out research activities under the supervision of senior personnel in the lab. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated individual.   Responsibilities: Work independently on assigned projects as well as carry out research activities under the supervision of senior personnel in the lab. Follow established NGS protocols in the laboratory. Generate DNA/RNA Sequencing libraries. Optimize and implement new molecular biology protocols. Run and maintain NGS Illumina instruments. Ordering of supplies and maintenance of laboratory equipment. Keep an organized and clean workspace and maintain a laboratory notebook. Attend lab meetings and read current journal articles of relevant projects. Write, review, and modify documents in compliance with Lab policy.

Qualifications:

Research Assistant:
Bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degree in a related field of study, preferred. Requires advanced knowledge predominantly intellectual in character in a field of science or learning acquired by a prolonged  course of specialized intellectual instruction.  

Entry level (less that a year of job-related experience)

Experience performing basic research techniques or interacting with human subjects, preferred.  

Ability to work independently.  Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings and data in reports and spreadsheets and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity
principles. Excellent time management and organization skills.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment.  Microsoft office software skills.

Research Associate:
Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree in a related field of study, preferred.    Requires advanced knowledge, predominantly intellectual in character, in a field of science or learning acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.  

Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)

Experience performing basic research techniques, preferred.
  
Ability to work independently.  Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings in reports and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills.  Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment.  Microsoft office software skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Previous hands-on laboratory experience in biochemistry, cell biology or molecular biology

Good organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.

Bachelor's degree required for Research Assistant
Ph.D. required for Research Associate

Bachelor's degree, Master's degree or equivalent in Biology or a related field.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience and Qualifications: Strong molecular biology laboratory skills required Experience in NGS workflow and Illumina machine operation required Experience in NGS library preparation Experience working with human tissue and cell samples preferred Highly organized and extremely detail-oriented Education: B.Sc. in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, or related discipline with at least 2 years of experience or Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences with 1 year of relevant Lab experience is preferred.

School/College/Division:

H06 - School of Medicine

Primary department:

H0656 - Center Molecular Medicine/Genetics

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Research

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum:
• Salary hire maximum:

Working conditions:

Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/ or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

Equal employment opportunity statement:

Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.