Laboratory Research Assistant II - 991425

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Primary Purpose:

Contributes to research by assisting researchers. Supports academic excellence by ensuring the proper maintenance of laboratories for the use of students, faculty, and researchers.

Job Category: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:  $45,900

Pay Basis:  Hourly

Subject to Grant Funding? Yes  

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Works with a primary investigator to generate therapeutic stem cell products for tissue regeneration and to evaluate approaches that will examine efficacy of cell-based therapies.
2. Contributes to basic and applied research activities; collects, analyzes, and processes laboratory samples or research data; performs a variety of tests, using routine and/or special techniques and methods.
3. Analyzes experimental data and interprets results to write reports and summaries of findings.
4. Assists in evaluating research methods, procedures, and techniques based on established objectives.
5. Assists in preparation of technical reports, summaries, protocols, and quantitative analyses of test results.
6. May participate in formulating research methods and suggesting options for improving quality and recommending solutions.
7. Cleans, maintains, and prepares supplies and work areas.
8. Sets up, adjusts, calibrates, cleans, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory and field equipment.
9. Orders and inventories materials to maintain supplies.
10. Provides training and assistance in the use of equipment to ensure efficient usage.
11. Provides and maintains a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or facility safety audits.
12. Helps develop, design, and conduct research projects according to plan.
13. Participates in computer database design and utilization and research/data analysis and suggests future improvements in data management.
14. Develops, adapts and implements research techniques and protocols, instrumentation, theoretical models, equipment or other vehicles for data gathering and analysis.
15. Maintains experimental records and documentation for inclusion in broader research project.
16. Evaluates experiment results using statistical and multivariate analysis.
17. Uses computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
18. Acts as a specialist on research methods and equipment factors.
19. May participate in publication of significant results.
20. Writes and collaborates with other researchers on manuscripts, abstracts and other publications of research findings.
21. May present results at professional meetings and other forums.
22. May assist in the preparation of grant proposals.
23. Attends seminars and training sessions on various topics.
24. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Job Requirements: 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Knowledge:
1. Biology - Knowledge of animal and human tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
2. Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
3. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
4. Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills:
1. Reading Comprehension - Proficient understanding of written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
2. Active Listening - Proficient skills in giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to under the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
3. Critical Thinking - Proficient skills in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Science - Proficient skills using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
5. Complex Problem Solving - Proficient skills in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
6. Active Learning - Proficient skills in understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
7. Judgment and Decision Making - Proficient skills in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the appropriate one.
8. Speaking - Proficient skills in talking to others to convey information effectively.
9. Systems Analysis – Proficient skills in determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Abilities:
1. Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
2. Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
3. Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
4. Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
5. Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
6. Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
7. Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Physical Requirements:
1. Near Vision - Must be able to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
2. Speech Clarity - Must be able to speak clearly so others can understand you.
3. Speech Recognition - Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.
4. May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
5. May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies, to include but not limited to pens, pencils, and computer keyboards.

Required Certifications/Licensures: 

Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Major (if required: Biology or Biochemistry

Required Experience: Two (2) to five (5) years of experience in cell biology, some experience in growing and maintaining mammalian cell culture.

Preferred Qualifications: 

M.S. Degree in Biology or Biochemistry with experience with pre-clinical models and knowledge of genomics is desirable, experience in stem cell-mediated tissue regeneration.

Is this a safety sensitive position? No  

Background Screening Required?  No  

Pre-Employment Conditions: 

Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

Sensitivity Disclaimer: Nova Southeastern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.