Job Description:
The Research Assistant II under minimal supervision, will process blood samples for immunological testing using such techniques as flow cytometry, cell culture, ELISA and PCR. Will be responsible for the organization and reporting of data, as well as maintaining procedural records.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
Will work independently with minimal supervision and will adhere to safe laboratory practices.
Manage the collection of data, as well as review of data in a thorough manner. Submit data to appropriate data centers in a timely and organized fashion.
Interprets data and recognizes erroneous results and why they may have occurred.
Exhibits a clear understanding of assays performed and why particular reagents/steps are used.
Perform laboratory or other technical procedures in complex scientific testing or research experiments at a high level of technical proficiency. Including developing new procedural routines and methods for clinical and laboratory use, and serving as a technical specialist to outside agencies and pharmaceutical companies.
Assist other laboratory staff members when the need arises, will assist in projects and tasks that require entire laboratory staff participation, and will coordinate and assist in the training of visitors and new laboratory personnel.
May periodically be called upon to research, to a limited extent, relevant literature about new or known technical procedures or research protocols.
Will be required to participate in laboratory meetings.
Must be independently capable of setting up and skillfully using complex instrumentation that will be used in the HIV Immunology Laboratory to make finite measurements or complicated chemical and/or biological determinations, including instrument troubleshooting.
May be requested to apply general statistical, tabular, and other reliability measures in assisting with the analysis and evaluation of the data collected.
Will be required to maintain and submit documentation and notes on daily testing activities and on the various stages of any research being conducted within the laboratory. Will also be required to maintain and submit documentation on any alterations to standard procedures or reagents, and on the final results subsequent to discussions with the Project Director.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Minimum of bachelor's degree in science or related field with 4-6 years of related experience or a Master's in science with 2 to 3 years experience in relevant field.
Must exhibit excellent written, computer, communication and organizational skills.
3. Must be multi-task oriented due to the diverse responsibilities of the position.
4. Ability to work under strict time constraints and deadlines.
5. Experience necessary in immunology assays such as flow cytometry, ELISA technology, Elispot, cell culture, DNA isolation and PCR.
