Research Specialist (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)

About the job

Whiting School of Engineering's Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department is seeking a *Research Specialist *to split time between managing the mouse colonies of the Elisseeff Lab in the Translational Tissue Engineering Center (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine) and performing mouse surgeries to collect blood and generate serum for the lab's research.

The Research Specialist performs a range of assays and experiments specific to an area of research, requiring a good understanding of the work of the laboratory. Makes contributions to various aspects of research efforts. Performs routine troubleshooting and helps with training and orientation of others working in the laboratory.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Plan and run experiments after discussion with investigators. Work may include making protocol modifications within the parameters set by investigator.
• Utilize specialized knowledge to interpret results, e.g. read controls, and evaluate results.
• Use scientific knowledge and lab experience to evaluate whether component parts of experiments are working as expected.
• Train/orient learners and new staff in the laboratory.
• Assist in development of new techniques and instruments.
• Become familiar with published research methods related to current experimental work by investigating published protocols and discussing them with more senior laboratory staff and/or faculty investigators.
• Process analyzed data into figures for scientific publications.
• May order equipment and supplies, and interface with vendors.
• May facilitate problem solving for entry-level lab members with research assays.
• May participate in protocol development, efficiency, and productivity.
• May contribute to writing manuscripts and grants by writing methodology sections.
• Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above

• Manage the laboratory's mouse colonies (about half of the position), including husbandry, breeding, weaning, genotyping, and colony maintenance in compliance with approved animal care and use protocols.
• Set up matings, track litters and experimental cohorts, and maintain colony records, breeding schedules, and inventories in coordination with lab members and animal facility staff.
• Perform mouse surgeries for blood collection and process the blood into serum (about half of the position) following standardized protocols.
• Aliquot, label, catalog, and store serum samples, keeping accurate records.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.

• One year of laboratory experience performing relevant techniques.

• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/ graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some experience working with mice.
• General laboratory skills, such as pipetting, preparing solutions, and following written protocols.
• Strong organization and attention to detail.
• Willingness to learn mouse surgery for blood collection, serum processing, and genotyping.
• Post-undergraduate research experience is a plus but not required.
• Mouse surgery for blood collection and serum processing (training provided).
• Genotyping, including nucleic acid isolation and real-time PCR (training provided).

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Data Management and Analysis - Awareness
• Experimental Design and Execution -Awareness
• Literature Review - Awareness
• Operations Management - Awareness
• Protocol Development and Optimization - Awareness
• Scientific Writing - Awareness

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Research Specialist Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MA Starting Salary Range: $18.71 - $32.69 HRLY (Commensurate w/exp.) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: M-F, 37.5 hrs wkly FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Location: Homewood Campus Department name: ChemBE-TTEC Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering