Research Specialist II

Johns Hopkins University
United States, Maryland, Baltimore
Mar 08, 2025
We are seeking a Research Specialist II who will provide technical assistance in behavioral training of rats and molecular and histological analysis of rat brain tissue. Carries out behavioral testing of young and aged rats for various investigations regarding the impact of aging on cognition. Specific Duties & Responsibilities Scientific Research and Reporting Maintains experimental animals, strategizes training and behavioral testing, performs surgeries and basic histological techniques. Performs all aspects of experiments related to investigation of cognitive function in aging including but not limited to DNA/RNA/protein extraction, in situ hybridization, western blotting, real time PCR, genotyping, immunohistochemistry, maintenance of experimental and laboratory records. Duties may also include animal perfusion and brain dissection. Designs experiments and develops/tests protocols. Performs experiments via collaborative projects with other labs. Evaluates experimental results, identifies problems and proposes and implements plans for solutions. Performs data analysis. Determines course of action for research projects with regard to assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction. Manages independent projects. Uses specialized software applications to assemble, manipulate, and/or format data and reports. Serves as liaison with various entities throughout the scientific community. Contributes to data interpretation, manuscript preparation and publishing. Provides on and off-site technical consultation and training to associate research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, and laboratory staff members. Independently identifies and resolves scientific and operational issues as needed. Serves as emergency contact for laboratories and back-up to the laboratory manager when required due to inclement weather or laboratory member absences. Maintain Lab Space Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe lab space. This includes proper labeling of new supplies/materials and proper disposal of chemicals and other waste. Safety and training Trains and manages undergraduates, graduate students, and others rotating through the laboratory. Responsible for monitoring radiation usage and disposal, as well as associated record maintenance for the lab. Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Excellent interpersonal skills. Must be able to communicate with supervisors and coworkers efficiently and proactively. Ability to work highly independently, but also collaboratively with individuals within the laboratory as well as from other research groups. Experience in rodent handling and breeding is strongly desired. Knowledge of standard protocols for PCR, basic molecular biology techniques, immunohistochemistry, genotyping, microscopy, tissue processing, and maintenance of experimental/laboratory records. Must be familiar with office and laboratory applications of Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel) and/or data analysis software (SAS, SPSS). Technical Qualifications or Specialized Certifications Experience in rodent handling and breeding is strongly desired. Knowledge of standard protocols for PCR, basic molecular biology techniques, immunohistochemistry, genotyping, microscopy, tissue processing, and maintenance of experimental/laboratory records. Must be familiar with office and laboratory applications of Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel) and/or data analysis software (SAS, SPSS). Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field. Two years laboratory experience performing relevant techniques. Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, or Neuroscience. Experience working with animals, utilizing spatial learning paradigms and general lab equipment. Experience with or other similar behavioral testing/data collection programs. Knowledge of dosing, preparation, and delivery of centrally acting drugs. Coursework in basic cell or molecular biology. Classified Title: Research Specialist II Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB Starting Salary Range: $41,300 - $56,800 - $72,300 Annually (Commensurate w/exp.) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: Monday -Friday - 8:30 am - 5:00 pm; occasional weekends or evenings based on experiments or animal welfare FLSA Status:Exempt Location:Homewood Campus Department name: Psychological and Brain Sciences Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences Total Rewards The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/. Education and Experience Equivalency Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job. Applicants Completing Studies Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date. Background Checks The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function. Diversity and Inclusion The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EEOis the Law https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf Accommodation Information If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/. Vaccine Requirements Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/. The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly. The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.