Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
The Orr Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to support an active translational neuroscience research program focused on brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, tau biology, and cellular senescence. The successful candidate will provide technical and organizational support for laboratory operations while assisting with experiments involving cell culture, molecular biology, spatial biology, and animal studies. This position is ideal for an individual seeking hands-on research experience in an academic laboratory.
Assists with research study, experiments, preparation of material, and documentation.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
- Conducts research studies, experiments and surveys.
- Prepares reagents, media, buffers, and laboratory solutions.
- Performs routine molecular biology techniques including PCR, Western blotting, immunostaining, and protein/RNA extraction.
- Assists with tissue processing, histology, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy.
- May assist with mammalian cell cultures, including neuronal and iPSC-derived cell models.
- May assist with rodent colony maintenance, genotyping, tissue collection, and basic animal procedures, as appropriate.
- Organizes biological samples and maintain laboratory inventories, and databases.
- Evaluates research results, reports findings and discusses project outcomes with staff involved.
- Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
- Prepares findings and draft interpretive reports/ summaries for publications.
- Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
- Coordinates research project with other institutions and investigators.
- Participates in developing hypotheses to be tested and ways of testing it.
- Assists with general supply/equipment orders, lab maintenance and cleaning.
- Supports multiple research projects across the laboratory as needed.
Working Conditions:
- Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards.
- Must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Laboratory Operations (2 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Certifications/Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Document Research, Laboratory Processes, Scientific Research
Grade
R07-H
Salary Range
$17.10 - $29.09 / HourlyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please emailCandidateQuestions@wustl.eduor call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
