Description:
Research Assistant for Torrelles Research Group at Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Research Assistant position to provide lab support and perform research in the Tuberculosis Research Group and SARS-CoV studies.
THE ROLE:
General Labs Maintenance (20%)
- Assist with the Inventory, re-stock, keeps supplies in order, and order supplies with the approval of Principal Investigator and/or lab managers.
- Prepares media, buffers, and other chemical solutions.
- Operates autoclaves, sterilizers, pipetting machines, and other laboratory equipment during routine laboratory maintenance work.
- Decontaminates laboratory work surfaces and other work areas.
- Performs waste disposal duties.
- Cleans and sterilizes other laboratory equipment such as slides, pipettes, culture dishes and other laboratory glassware.
- Assist in the preparation of materials for testing.
Research (70%)
- Performs laboratory procedures relative to experience level. Procedures may include performing in-vivo, in-vitro, ex-vivo, and cell-based assays, including ELISA, RT-PCR, Western Blot, flow cytometry, histology, multiplex assays, molecular genetics techniques, etc.
- Able to plan experiments and execute them under the supervision of the PI and other senior members of the laboratory.
- Performs experiments handling SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (biosafety level 3 pathogens) under the guidance of the PI and other senior members of the laboratory. Experiments may involve different animal models.
- Assists in the isolation of human and animal cells from tissues and blood.
- Performs library research to find current and/or new trends/methods related to research being conducted; participates in journal clubs and laboratory meetings.
Administrative (10%)
- Responsible for assisting management, study directors/investigators and staff with the development of institutional regulatory compliance documents (IRBs, AICUC, BSC, Chemical Hygiene Plan, and other institutional documentation).
- Maintains various records relative to assignments.
- Assist in the development of laboratory SOPs.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:
Education
- Requires a Bachelor's degree (BS) in a biological/health science or an equivalent combination of education and experience; ability to translate, adapt and apply academic or practical knowledge in the conduct of biological/health science research is required; experience in a biological/health research laboratory setting required; computer skills preferred with experience using Microsoft Office products desired.
Experience
- General Biosafety Level (BSL)-1 and/or BSL-2 laboratory experience.
- Experience in laboratory management providing support to the laboratory members, and skilled in ordering supplies and equipment, interacting with vendors as needed.
Research Skills
- Animals: Experience in proper mouse handling. Intranasal and subcutaneous immunizations; proficient evaluation of mouse survival, necropsy/harvesting organs techniques (desired).
- Biochemistry: Experience in basic biochemistry techniques (desired thin layer chromatography for lipid analysis, gas chromatography, etc.)
- Cell Biology: Experience in working with mammalian cells (primary or cell lines).
- Immunology: Experience in basic immunology techniques such as ELISA; immunoblots; flow cytometry (desired), immunoprecipitation.
- Laboratory experience: Excellent BSL-1 and/or BSL-2 work skills (i.e. sterility techniques) and preferred experience in a BSL-3 laboratory.
- Microbiology: Culture of non-pathogenic bacterial strains under BSL-2 conditions; culture of pathogenic bacterial strains under BSL-3 conditions, colony forming unit enumeration, SARS-CoV-2 in vitro work
- Molecular Biology: Experience in basic molecular techniques such as DNA & RNA extraction from cells, performing polymerase chain reaction; qRT-PCR, primer design.
- Software: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, GraphPad Prism, and/or others.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
- Working with BSL-3 pathogens (i.e. drug susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains)
- Working with M. tuberculosis infected animals and SARS-CoV-2 infected animals.
- Working with human and animal tissues
(Participation in a medical monitoring and surveillance program is required. Safety training, equipment, clothing, and supplies will be provided when required).
WHO WE ARE:
Texas Biomedical Research Institute is one of the world's leading independent biomedical research institutions dedicated to advancing global human health through innovative biomedical research. Texas Biomed aims to unravel the mysteries of infectious diseases through innovative thinking, creative problem solving and cutting-edge technologies.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
- Competitive pay
- 7% Employer-Funded retirement contribution starting day one
- Full insurance benefits
- Holidays, PTO and a week off for the last week of December
- We are proud of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging!
** All new hires must present proof of an up to date COVID-19 immunization record to include booster(s) if eligible.
Texas Biomedical Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.
Requirements:
Texas Biomedical Research Institute provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.
PI238610703
