Research Assistant- IL- Physiology

Summary:

The Department of Physiology at Midwestern University, Downers
Grove is looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, and scientifically
curious Research Assistant to provide research support for faculty
members in the Department of Physiology. The Research Assistant is
expected to assist in the: design and execution of animal,
cellular, and human based research projects; data collection and
analysis; and preparation of figures for manuscripts for
peer-reviewed publications. The candidate should have experience
working with laboratory mice. This position will report to the
Chair of the Department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain transgenic mouse colonies under faculty supervision:

Mice breeding, handling, ear tagging, drug delivery via
intraperitoneal, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections,
genotyping (obtain tail snips and perform PCR analyses), and
accurate maintenance of colony records.

• Cell culture maintenance under faculty supervision: Generation,

propagation and maintenance of sterile cell cultures and intestinal
organoids, performing basic in vitro experiments,
including but not limited to harvesting, splitting, and freezing
cells, drug delivery to cultures, protein, and RNA
extractions.

• Competently perform standard molecular biology techniques

(western blot, gel electrophoresis, RT-PCR, qPCR, chromatin
immunoprecipitations, immunohistochemistry, molecular cloning,
etc.) under faculty supervision.

• Use specialized computer software to collect and analyze

physiological (cardio-pulmonary) and cognitive data from humans
under faculty supervision.

• Graph, analyze, and evaluate generated data, and contribute to

abstract submissions and poster preparation.

• Maintain an accurate lab notebook and assist with

trouble-shooting technical issues.

• Assist in literature searches for protocol development and

optimization.

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of lab, lab equipment,

and supplies.

• Adhere to laboratory safety and regulatory procedures and

maintain lab chemical inventory.

• Obtain quotes and perform ordering and receiving duties for lab

supplies.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to
perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed
below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability
required. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and
safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences related field from an
accredited college is required. Previous laboratory skills
including experience with fluorescence microscopy, and molecular
biology techniques including western blot, PCR, and cell and tissue
culture maintenance are all desired preferred. Previous experience
training students is desired.

This individual must have flexible schedule and be willing to
occasionally work late hours, weekends, and potentially overtime.
Must be willing to work with animal and human cell lines.

Computer Skills:

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
required. Experience with statistics, graphing and imaging software
is preferred. Experience using data acquisition systems/equipment,
as well as data processing, is desired. Computer programming skills
are desired.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those
that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.

This individual is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use
hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk
and hear. This individual is occasionally required to climb or
balance, stoop, kneel or crouch. This individual is frequently
required to lift up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift up to 25
pounds. Close and distance vision correctable to 20/20 in both
eyes, ability to distinguish depth and shades of grey scale.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions. Individuals will occasionally work near moving
mechanical parts, be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic
or caustic chemicals, risk of electric shock, radiation, and
vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually
moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization
that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health
sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove,
Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000
full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic
medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia,
cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology,
speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary
medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members
are dedicated to the education and development of our students in
an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of
the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly
activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical,
dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance,
short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible
spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and
child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with
competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex
days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement
plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement
program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance
program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness
facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
employer that does not discriminate against an employee or
applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin
or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender
(including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual
orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past,
current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic
information; or any other protected class, in accord with
all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern
University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S.
36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).
Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of
2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with
Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights
pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information,
please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.