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 08/01/2022
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 communicate effectively in written and spoken English. Required
Be able to repeat and demonstrate routine lab techniques to undergraduates. Required
Ability to work independently, skill in organization and attention to detail and strong communication and interpersonal skills. Required
Demonstrated knowledge of laboratory techniques. 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 knowledge of Windows and Macintosh computer platforms. 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
Working knowledge of principles of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology. Preferred

Special Requirements & Conditions
Special Condition Requirement

Other Special Requirements & Conditions

Level of Supervision Received
Supervision

Environment

Working Environment
Campus

Other Requirements

Items Used
  • Desktop computers for data analysis, pipettors, lab glassware, PCR machines, centrifuge, autoclaves, pH machine

Physical Requirements
  • Stand : Frequently
  • Bend : Occasionally
  • Squat : N/A
  • Sit : Frequently
  • Walk : Frequently
  • Crawl : N/A
  • Climb : N/A

Mental Requirements
  • Perform Calculations : Occasionally
  • Communicate Orally : Frequently
  • Read/Comprehend : Frequently
  • Reason & Analyze : Occasionally
  • Write : Frequently

Environmental Requirements
  • Is around moving machinery : No
  • Is exposed to excessive noise : No
  • Is exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity : No
  • Fumes : No
  • Drives motorized equipment : No
  • Works in confined quarters : No
  • Dust : No

Critical Position

Is Critical Position: Yes

More Information

General Campus Information

University of California, Riverside
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Riverside, CA 92521
Tel: (951) 827-1012

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Department Information

Human Resources
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Riverside, CA 92521

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