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. 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.

Job Summary

The job 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.The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Lengyel laboratory is looking for a Research Analyst to join its ovarian cancer research team. Specifically, the Research Analyst 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.

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.
• Presenting 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.
  
  

Education:

Minimum Qualifications

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

Work Experience:

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

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• One year of relevant research experience.
• 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.
  
  

Preferred Competencies

• Organization.
• Problem-solving.
• Collaboration and Independence.
• Attention to detail.
• Communication.
• 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.
• Strong interest in and commitment to research goals of laboratory.
• Comfort working with a team.
• Ability to be flexible in changing research focus.
• Experience contributing to research manuscripts, reports, or publications strongly preferred.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Lab environment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods.
• Ability to use computer for extended periods.
  
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
  
  

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$24.04 - $33.65

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

Yes

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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