Research Specialist
University of Chicago
Department
PME Immunoengineering
About the Department
Job Summary
Responsibilities
- Performs various investigative procedures and operates a variety of instruments and other scientific equipment. Examples of equipment routinely used are plate readers for absorbance or luminescence-based assays, microscopes for live cell functional studies, PCR machines for gene amplification and cloning, and flow cytometers and cell sorters for single-cell analysis and isolation.
- Collaborates with internal and external students, scientists, researchers, programmers, and engineering teams.
- Contributes new ideas that can lead to new experiments and research grant proposals.
- Helps develop, design, and conduct research projects according to plan.
- With moderate supervision, manages research-related duties and tasks.
- Documents research efforts and software adequately for sharing with the PI and lab members.
- Helps disseminate research results in high-impact journals and conferences.
- Conducts periodic training for current or new members of the research group.
- Recognizes abnormal or potentially abnormal results, communicates about them, and sets up procedures to investigate and correct problems.
- Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
- Complies with institution, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
- Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
- 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.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as biology, immunology, chemistry, etc.
Experience:
- Design and assembly of DNA constructs, including modern molecular cloning techniques like Golden Gate or Gibson Assembly.
- Viral vectors, transposon vectors and/or CRISPR genome integration techniques for genetic engineering.
- Culture of mammalian cells, including tumor cell lines, primary immune cells, such as T cells, and/or stem cells.
- Flow cytometry and cell sorting.
- Animal experiments, including mouse models for cancer, autoimmunity, and/or neurodegeneration, subcutaneous and intravenous injection.
- Immunology assays, such as cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion and general in vitro functional measurements of T cells.
- Fluorescence microscopy and imaging data analysis.
Technical Skills or Knowledge:
- Knowledge of basic computer proficiency including computer programs and standard laboratory equipment.
- Knowledge of basic programming in a few coding languages.
Preferred Competencies
- Knowledge of regulatory policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated problem-solving, organization, analytical and coordination skills including attention to detail.
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to read and comprehend scientific and technical literature, and methods to stay abreast of developments in the field.
- Work independently and collaborate with other lab personnel.
- Work both independently and in collaboration with other lab personnel.
Working Conditions
- Laboratory environment.
- Occasional extensive reaches and grasps with arms and hands.
- Long periods of standing and/or sitting.
- Work involves possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances.
Application Documents
- Resume/CV (required)
- Research Statement (required)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.
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.
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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