
GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Designee, the Research Associate performs a variety of complex research experiments. Looking for dynamic individuals to join our team with a strong desire and work ethic to improve the lives of billions of the poorest people and to be involved with a prestigious GHIT global health grant.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Molecular biology experience and/or
• Microbiology experience and/or
• Tissue-culture experience
Soil-transmitted helminths are parasitic worms, such as hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm. STH infections can deprive the body of blood and nutrients, disproportionately affecting populations living in poverty primarily due to morbidity associated with malnutrition and anemia, leading to severe stunting in hundreds of millions of children. Severe anemia in pregnancy is a significant contributor to maternal mortality. New and better drugs are needed to cope with these parasites. This research will will focus on optimizing the antiparasitic protein Cry5B (a naturally occurring protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis), with the aim of producing an inexpensive, broad-spectrum Cry5B product suitable for use by adults, children, and pregnant women as an alternative to, or in combination with, existing drugs used in global deworming campaigns.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, or designee
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
May functionally supervise Lab Technicians and Aides
ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
Wet chemistry laboratory, and may require appropriate contact with biohazards, radionuclides, toxins, animals, and human specimens.
UMass Chan Medical School was among 23 companies that stood out as 2023 “DEI champions,” according to The Boston Globe.