About The Role

**This is a Part-Time, Limited Appointment position**

This position is in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Nephrology. The purpose of the position is to support research on the discovery of small molecule modulators of ion transporters/channels important in human diseases, including kidney diseases (kidney stones, kidney failure, hypertension), digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation, motility disorders), pulmonary diseases (asthma, cystic fibrosis), cardiovascular diseases (hypertension) and others.

The Staff Research Associate (SRA) is expected to perform in vitro electrophysiology in cells and tissues (Ussing Chamber), cell culture (maintaining and preparing cell lines for experiments), measurement of ion transport in cells (via fluorescence using plate reader), preparation of buffers and solutions for experiments, molecular biology (PCR, animal genotyping, Western blot), staining techniques for tissues and cells (immunofluorescence, light microscopy etc.), animal experiments (handling, anesthesia, injections, blood-urine-stool collections, colony maintenance, breeding, euthanasia, tissue harvesting, simple surgery), analysis of ions, biomarkers, chemical compounds and metabolites by ion chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The SRA is going to perform the above mentioned work under supervision of the PI and will be trained by the PI for the above mentioned work.

The SRA will have responsibility for animal safety and compliance, controlled substances and biological substances and will be responsible for protocol adherence and timely renewal and updating of the animal protocols in coordination with the PI. It is expected that the incumbent will work closely with IACUC, will determine what supplies are needed for experiments and organize their storage and use and will also assist with material transfers and safe shipping. Together with the other SRA’s in the lab, the incumbent is expected to perform shared general lab maintenance duties such as defrosting freezers, cleaning hoods, incubators & sinks, organizing supplies inventory, and overall lab maintenance & upkeep. The SRA will attend weekly laboratory meetings unless in direct time conflict with ongoing research/experiments, and will perform other duties as assigned.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

%
of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

80

Yes Research: The primary responsibilities of the incumbent will include in vitro electrophysiology in cells and tissues (Ussing Chamber), cell culture (maintaining and preparing cell lines for experiments), measurement of ion transport in cells (via fluorescence using plate reader), preparation of buffers and solutions for experiments, molecular biology (PCR, animal genotyping, Western blot), staining techniques for tissues and cells (immunofluorescence, light microscopy etc.), animal experiments (handling, anesthesia, injections, blood-urine-stool collections, colony maintenance, breeding, euthanasia, tissue harvesting, simple surgery), analysis of ions, biomarkers, chemical compounds and metabolites by ion chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The SRA II is going to perform the above mentioned work under close supervision of the PI and will be trained by the PI for the above mentioned work.

15

Lab organization, safety and compliance: Determination of what supplies are needed for experiments and organize their storage and use. Assist with lab safety and compliance specifically material transfers, safe shipping and research protocol adherence.

5

Conferences: Will attend weekly laboratory meetings unless in direct time conflict with ongoing research/experiments.

0

(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

Required Qualifications

BA/BS in a related science; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience with animal handling, genotyping, breeding, colony maintenance
Ability to work independently and to assess need for interaction with supervising researcher
Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and record keeping skills
Careful attention to detail. Maintain a detailed laboratory notebook of experiments done on a daily basis

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with cell culture techniques including primary cell cultures, maintenance of cell lines and transfection techniques
Coursework experience with standard molecular and biochemical techniques including cell culture, PCR and western blotting
Masters of Science Degree, including one year experience