Research Professional I (Extended Temporary)

This position will involve maintenance of cell culture and lab equipment, maintaining accurate lab reagents, supplies, instruments, and samples inventory. The incumbent will assist with purchasing, lab record keeping and filing, cell functional assays, cell isolation/purification, and training of students in various techniques. Experience with endothelial cell culture, RT-qPCR, immuno-histochemistry, processing and handling of animal or human tissue specimens, and optimizing protocols for cell functional assays are preferred. Experience in lab management is preferred.

The University of Arizona School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences (ACBS) is housed within the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES). Through several robust undergraduate, graduate and research programs, ACBS is a leader in the study of animal science, reproduction, and biotechnology.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

• Under supervision of Dr. Zhou, assist with developing, planning, designing, and conducting advanced, cutting-edge research.
• Participate with setting up and performing a variety of lab experiment or field tests and operations, including rodent experiments, and helping to develop assays and other new technologies.
• Assist with Isolating, purifying, and maintaining primary cell culture, and perform complex cell-based assays and data analysis under supervision.
• Care and handling of rodent research animals, data collection, and analysis in rodents. Obtain and process biological samples, tissue processing, and microscopy.
• Maintain clear, detailed laboratory notebooks with observations, experimental procedures, calculations, and data analysis, including interpreting test results.
• Assist with analyzing study data and performing moderately complex calculations.
• Operates and maintains many types of scientific apparatuses, equipment, and instruments, including specialized systems that may require creativity to resolve problems. This includes programming and maintaining complex equipment (replacing parts, calibrating, etc.).
• Participates with the laboratory team in in helping to prepare technical reports, summaries, protocols, and quantitative results by attending meetings and presentation and assisting with generating preliminary data.
• Provides support for research administration, including coordinating schedules with collaborators and core facilities, handling intake, and maintaining records and files.
• Under supervision, assist with ensuring regulatory compliance by maintaining the lab environment and helping to manage all lab instrument/space in compliance with RLSS/IRB/ICAUC regulations and requirements. Maintain the safety record and associated documentation for the lab.
• Attend weekly lab meetings and maintain documentation of lab meetings and associated documents.
• Assist with training other employees and students in lab techniques and procedures and maintain appropriate records.
• Coordinate student schedules and assist with scheduling research events and experiments for the laboratory.
• Work with the University of Arizona Research Laboratory & Safety Services to ensure biosafety and chemical safety compliance of research activities of the lab.
• Clean, sterilize, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment, machinery, and instruments used for research.
• Coordinate the acquisition of lab reagents and supplies, and maintain accurate, thorough, and up-to-date records and inventory.
• Coordinate samples submission and obtain data/ processed samples with University core facilities, and maintain up-to-date records and inventory.
• Procure specialized parts, materials, equipment, and services for lab operations, and maintain the inventory.
• Compile and maintain accurate, thorough, and up-to-date inventory records for biological samples, supplies, and reagents.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities

• Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of cell culture and molecular biology.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Good lab management skills and the ability to maintain organized, detailed, and cross referencing samples/reagents/supplies storage and filing systems (i.e., physical and digital records).
• Skill in handling animal tissues and bio-specimens with occasional handling of research animals and animal specimens.
• Knowledge of performing primary cell isolation, purification, culture, passage, cryopreservation, and cell functional assays, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and ability to update standard operation procedures (SOPs).

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through experience required.
• 1 year of relevant work experience required.

• Bachelor's degree in biology, cell biology, molecular biology, physiology or related field of study.
• Two years of research experience related to primary cell culture, immuno-histochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular biology research.
• Previous experience with bio-safety, chemical safety, and animal safety regulation and requirements at BSL2 research lab.
• Experienced in troubleshooting and maintaining cell culture and cell functional assay-related equipment (e.g., multi mode plate reader, microscope, incubator, Cell Cryopreservation Tank, sample storage freezer/fridge).
• Experience with endothelial cell culture, RT-qPCR, immuno-histochemistry, processing and handling of animal or human tissue specimens, and optimizing protocols for cell functional assays are preferred.
• Experience in lab management is preferred.