Research Assistant

Department
 

BSD OBG - Lengyel Lab

About the Department
 

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has 114 clinical providers, providing care at the main hospital in Hyde Park and seven off site locations. We have more than 60,000 outpatient visits, 25,000 ultrasound visits, 2,800 deliveries, and 3,000 gynecological surgeries per year. Teaching, research and the highest quality clinical care are top priorities for the Department. The residency and fellowship programs are highly ranked and have a history of training leaders in healthcare. The Department also has a significant research enterprise, engaging in population health studies, as well as research conducted in wet laboratories on tumor biology, fibroid research, and hypertensive diseases in pregnancy. Additionally, the Section of Family Planning has established a unique research center, CI3, which focuses on reproductive policy and innovations in sexual and reproductive health.

Job Summary
 

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Lengyel laboratory is looking for a Research Assistant to join its ovarian cancer research team. Specifically, the Research Assistant will be investigating the role of and therapeutic targets of the stroma during ovarian cancer disease progression, and will involve human tissue, in vivo mouse models, three-dimensional organotypic, and primary cell models to perform translational research. The Research Assistant will work collaboratively with the principal investigators, fellows, students and other research specialists. Under limited direction, the incumbent performs complex lab and/or research-related duties and tasks.

This role performs routine assignments related to scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

• Assists with planning, development and execution of research in the laboratory.
• Assists in organizing the laboratory.
• Works collaboratively with the team and collaborators.
• Assists in management of animal colony and animal experiments.
• Conducts periodic training for current and new members of the laboratory.
• Contributes to the writing of academic papers, reports and final summaries.
• Collects, records, and analyzes data.
• Conducts literature reviews.
• Ensures compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• May serve as a lead research specialist.
• Presents research findings at staff meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
• Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
• Maintains recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Has general awareness in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in field relevant to the research (e.g., biology, cell biology, cancer biology) strongly preferred.
• Advanced degree in field relevant to the research (e.g., biology, cell biology, cancer biology) strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Background contributing to research manuscripts, reports, or publications strongly preferred.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Molecular biology techniques (i.e. quantitative real-time PCR, RNA and DNA isolation, transfection, Lentivirus mediated gene silencing, transformation, cloning).
• Biochemical techniques (i.e. immunoblots).
• Tissue culture techniques (i.e. ex vivo cultures, primary cell isolation, transfection, infection, co-culture, three-dimensional modeling).
• Cell assays (i.e. adhesion, migration, invasion, proliferation, apoptosis, cytotoxicity).
• Cancer stem cell isolation and culture (human or mouse tumors).
• Flow cytometry.
• Microscopy (i.e. immunofluorescent analysis, wound healing assay, immunohistochemical analysis). 
• Mouse in vivo models of cancer metastasis (i.e. intraperitoneal injections and dissections.
• Transgenic mouse models (i.e. breeding and genotyping).
• Mass spectrometry.
• Knowledge in cancer biology and role of microenvironment during cancer progression.
• Knowledge of research techniques or methods (cell biology, translation, transcription, primary cultures, microscopy, cell assays, biochemical assays, molecular biology assays).
• Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.

Preferred Competencies

• Organization.
• Problem-solving.
• Collaboration and independence.
• Attention to detail.
• Communication.
• Strong interest in and commitment to research goals of laboratory.
• Comfortable working with a team.
• Flexible in changing research focus.

Working Conditions

• Lab environment.
• Stand for extended periods.
• Use computer for extended periods.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

Yes

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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