Research Associate IV - 991430

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Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southeastern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.

We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southeastern University.

Primary Purpose:

Under limited supervision of a Principal Investigator or designee, this position will model neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) neurons/dopaminergic neurons/brain cells using a unique Axion/Netri system.

Job Category: Exempt

Hiring Range:  Commensurate with experience

Pay Basis:  Annually

Subject to Grant Funding? Yes  

Essential Job Functions: 

This position is contingent on the availability and continuation of external-funding and/or contract. As such, any offer of employment may be withdrawn or employment ended in the event the external funding and/or contract ceases or is reduced.

1. Participates in innovative research aimed at understanding the role of molecular mechanisms of complex neurological diseases. Involving neurovascular inflammation.
2. Focuses on hiPSC cell-derived brain organoids, brain cells/neurons/dopaminergic neurons and brain cell function, as well as single-cell genomics.
3. Collaborates with other scientists to develop standardized protocols and experimental designs.
4. Performs experiments, inflammatory mediator measurements in cell culture supernatant, data analysis, annotation, and report preparation using data integration, pathway analysis, and visualization software.
5. Performs Immunofluorescence staining of brain cells, microscopy and image analysis.
6. Attends and participates in institutional programs, seminars, lectures and conferences.
7. Participates in formulating research methods and suggesting options for improving quality and recommending solutions and collaborates in the development of new techniques. Participates in computer database design and utilization and research/data analysis and suggests future improvements in data measurement.
8. Understands and interprets research protocols and procedures. May develop protocol and criteria; may determine interview procedures and approve protocols; may also design intervention protocols.
9. May participate in the publication of significant results. May co-author publications and may co-present results with Principal Investigator at meetings and/or conferences.
10. Performs other job duties as assigned or required.

Job Requirements: 

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Knowledge:
1. English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
2. Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
3. Administrative — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
4. Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
5. Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills:
1. Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
2. Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
3. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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.
8. Mathematical Reasoning – The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
9. Oral Expression – The ability to communicate information and ides in speaking so others will understand.
10. Problem Sensitivity – The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
11. Written Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

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: Master's Degree

Major (if required: 

Required Experience: Five (5) years or more of experience in a related field.

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Earned a Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Pharmacology, Physiology, or another related field.
2. Possesses excellent cell culture skills.
3. Possesses background expertise in hiPSC .
4. Experience in stem cell biology, neuroimmune interactions, and neurodegenerative diseases.
5. Demonstrated ability to be a leading author on peer-reviewed original publications.
6. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team of scientists.
7. Self-motivated and collaborative individual.

Is this a safety sensitive position? Yes  

Background Screening Required?  No  

Pre-Employment Conditions: 

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.