SEARCH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:  

Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator or designee, the Research Associate II performs a variety of complex research experiments and is responsible for overseeing laboratory operations within the Department.

The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences in the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) consists of investigators engaged in dynamic and collaborative research. A Research Associate-II position is available in this department. The candidate must have direct experience in biotechnology/biomedicine with hands-on experience in microbiological techniques, bacterial protein expression/purification, cilia/flagella detection, bacterial growth, virus production/infection, fibroblasts, stem cells, molecular biology (including SDS-PAGE and RT-PCR), using DNA/RNA extraction kits, retinal tissues, and procurement of lab equipment. Specific lab responsibilities will include performing gene cloning, cell biological experiments related to cell growth, cilia formation, maintaining mammalian cell lines, fibroblast culture, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, mammalian cell transfection and staining of cellular organelles, protein pull-downs, genomic DNA isolation and PCR, retinal tissue staining, interpret data and conclusions, statistical analysis of the results, and maintenance of lab supplies and inventory.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform complex laboratory experiments and conduct in-depth analysis of research experiments
• Write standard operating procedures, schedule work, analyze data, maintain accurate records, and write reports
• Report the status of projects and observations to the Department Chair
• Ensure departmental computer resources remain functional and provide on-site support to Investigators as requested
• Design and execute protocols and experiments, modify protocols as needed, and may be responsible for own research project
• Manage laboratory research staff
• Responsible for overall laboratory organization including oversight of safety protocols and the maintenance of related records 
• May assist with budget and/or operational aspects of grant and contract proposals
• Long-range planning for laboratory and departmental equipment maintenance and replacement. Assist in procurement of departmental equipment. Responsible for physical inventory of all equipment, and maintaining records of all equipment acquired, moved off-site, or discarded
• Oversee and coordinate the use of centralized departmental facilities
• Work with Facilities Engineering, Environmental Health and Safety, and Radiation Safety to ensure department facilities and laboratories are in compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations
• Assist in writing the text of scientific publications and grants.  Review literature
• Oversee and assist in the training of new laboratory personnel, students, and collaborators
• Comply with all safety and infection control standards
• Perform other duties as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor’s degree in the Biological Sciences, or equivalent experience
• 5 years of relevant research experience
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Strong ability to analyze complex visual data in a quantitative and objective manner
• Judgment and action skills required to solve commonly encountered problems

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, or designee

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: 

Supervise aides, technicians, and associates

ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Wet chemistry laboratory, and may require appropriate contact with biohazards, radionuclides, toxins, animals, and human specimens