General Information
| Job Description | LAB AST 2 | Working Title | Lab Assistant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Code | 009603 | Grade | |
| Department Name | Biomedical Sciences - D01059 | Department Head | Monica Carson |
| Supervisor | Seema Tiwari-Woodruff | Effective Date |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Department Custom Scope
| Under supervision from the PI, the incumbent will assist in projects related to Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection of mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Key duties will be: maintaining mouse colonies, genotyping, inducing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice, giving animals therapeutic drugs (timed experiments), perfusing animals, embedding brain and spinal cord, performing immunohistochemical experiments, assisting in immunohistochemistry experiments, ordering lab supplies and general lab maintenance. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Two years of college level courses in the natural and physical sciences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position. | Required |
| Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience or related science areas. | Preferred |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Prior related laboratory experience. | Preferred |
| Previous experience in mouse work. | Preferred |
| Research experience in mouse handling and genotyping. | Preferred |
License Requirements
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Perform Independent Experiments 1. Setting up cages for experiments. 2. Oral gavages and injections of various neuroprotective compounds to live animals. 3. Immunohistochemistry and analysis of experiments involving cell count and density measurements. 4. Writing summaries of projects that are underway. | 35 |
| Maintain Mouse Breeding Colony 1. Performing husbandry, maintain records and genotype. 2. Performing perfusions, dissections and tissue sectioning. 3. Overseeing undergraduates for animal work (PI will help in teaching perfusions and immunos). | 25 |
| Animal Models of MS 1. Inducing EAE and cuprizone diet demyelination. 2. Timed experiments (includes coming in on weekends for a couple of hours but not exceeding 40 hours per week). 3. Blood collection, dissected brain isolation for RNA and Protein. 4. Perfusions, isolation of brain and spinal cord dissection, embedding, cutting and setting up plates for immunohistochemistry. | 25 |
| Laboratory Maintenance 1. Perform routine laboratory maintenance tasks, including: a. Clean work area. b. Assist with waste disposal. c. Order supplies. d. Maintain chemical stocks. e. Maintain O2, N2 and CO2 tanks. 2. Attend related lab meetings research and professional seminars as needed. | 15 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ability to work independently, skill in organization and attention to detail and strong communication and interpersonal skills. | Required |
| Ability to make solutions, trouble shoot and think through laboratory techniques. | Required |
| Ability to perform immunohistochemistry. | Required |
| Working knowledge of principles of chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics and cell biology. | Required |
| Demonstrated ability to learn new areas of scientific and technical knowledge by reading the scientific literature, instruction manuals, and textbooks, and by attending research and professional seminars. | Required |
| Demonstrated knowledge of Windows and Macintosh computer platforms. | Required |
| Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory techniques. | Required |
| Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English. | Required |
| Be able to repeat and demonstrate routine lab techniques to undergraduates. | Required |
| Working knowledge of principles of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology. | Preferred |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
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Other Special Requirements & Conditions
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Level of Supervision Received
| Supervision |
Environment
Working Environment
| Campus |
Other Requirements
Items Used
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Physical Requirements
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Mental Requirements
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Environmental Requirements
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Critical Position
| Is Critical Position: Yes |