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 | Carrie Jonak | Effective Date | 07/06/2022 |
Position(s) Directly Supervised
| Job Code | Title | FTE |
|---|
Department Custom Scope
| Under the direct supervision of the Binder Laboratory Manager, perform a broad range of general laboratory duties and assist with laboratory experimental procedures using a variety of genetic, molecular and biochemical approaches. Responsibilities include, but not limited to, maintaining stocks of solutions and reagents necessary for general lab use, immunohistochemistry analysis, Western Blot analysis, and handling, breeding and weaning of mice and rats. |
Education & Experience Requirements
Education Requirements
| Degree | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience or related science areas. | Preferred |
| Graduation from high school of a General Education Diploma and 2 years of laboratory experience or 2 years of college including courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and 1 year of laboratory experience, 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 |
Experience Requirements
| Experience | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 3 years of laboratory experience. | Preferred |
| Experience in handling transgenic and knockout rodents. | Required |
| Demonstrated experience in using and maintaining laboratory equipment, including but not limited to pipettes, centrifuges and balances. | Required |
License Requirements
Certification Requirements
| Certification | Requirement |
|---|
Educational Condition Requirements
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
Key Responsibilities
| Description | % Time |
|---|---|
| Molecular biology and rodent colony maintenance: Assists with rodent colony maintenance by weaning, breeding and euthanizing. Collects tissue samples for genotyping. Assists with rodent stereotactic neurosurgical procedures. Perfuses, dissects and harvests organs for analysis. Performs Western Blotting and protein expression analysis. Prepares tissue samples for histology and section using a cryostat. Performs immunohistochemistry staining and microscopy. Administers medication to rodents. Presents experimental results during lab meetings. | 70 |
| Lab maintenance: Organizes and keeps laboratory clean. Prepares basic stock solutions and reagents. Washes lab glassware and surgical instruments. Autoclaves and disposes of biohazardous waste. Assists in maintaining a clean and safe working environment in accordance with Environmental Health and Safety guidelines. Maintains and stores laboratory supplies and equipment. Receives and unpacks shipments of laboratory supplies. Cleans animal housing areas and cages. | 20 |
| Data collection and record keeping: Assists in data collection and accurate record keeping. Assists with accurate inventory of lab supplies Assists with University laboratory safety audits. Assists with data analysis using Matlab and Prism. Assists with creating data presentations and figures using PowerPoint. Assists with database updates as needed for the operations of the laboratory. | 10 |
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
| Knowledge/Skill/Ability | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Willingness and demonstrated ability to meet established standards for dependability and attendance. | Required |
| Ability to work independently, multi-task and adapt to changing research priorities and workloads. | Required |
| Ability to perform molecular biology experiments and to keep accurate documentation of all laboratory experiments. | Required |
| Strong communication skills (verbal and written) in order to interact professionally and effectively with faculty, staff and students. | Required |
| Demonstrated computer skills, and experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. | Required |
| Willingness and ability to work safely with biohazardous and radioactive materials. | Required |
| Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to organize and maintain a clean laboratory. | Required |
| Ability to take initiative and handle responsibility. | Required |
| Ability to follow oral and written instructions. | Required |
| Willingness to perform experiments involving handling, anesthesia, surgery, dissection and sacrifice of laboratory mice and rats. | Required |
| Ability to calculate the molarity of solutions, perform dilutions and make solutions following protocols. | Required |
Special Requirements & Conditions
| Special Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Willingness and ability to work weekends as needed. | Required |
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 |