Requisition ID:  113796

Research Specialist

The laboratory of Dr. Kenneth Pienta (https://www.kennethjpienta.com) is seeking a well-qualified, driven Research Specialist. The successful candidate will be expected to be proficient in a large repertoire of research techniques that will allow them to work in both an independent manner as well as part of a collaborative team within the laboratory and with collaborators at JHU and other institutions. The position will also assist with coordinating a variety of laboratory responsibilities.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Maintaining inventory/stock of critical consumables.
  • Aliquoting of lab mission-critical reagents (FBS, P/S).
  • Lab infrastructure tasks, i.e., autoclaving Pasteur pipettes, CO2 tanks for TC, incubators. Serving as point of contact for vendors – including “catching” equipment (like recently, TC incubators, -80 freezer, BSCs).
  • Disposing of hazardous waste.
  • Training of new lab members, including for TC, general bench SOP.
  • Daily experiments that include use of highly technical equipment including the confocal microscope, the S3 flow cytometer, the Wolf cytometer, and the nCounter.
  • Work independently on assigned projects, utilizing established research protocols as well as base knowledge of general laboratory procedures and skills.
  • Function as primary specialist on 1-2 projects while performing other tasks related to ongoing laboratory projects or overall laboratory operations, per the PI’s discretion. Make significant and important contributions to various aspects of research efforts, including troubleshooting, and providing training and guidance other JHU employees or trainees (undergraduate, graduate, or post-doc) in experiments and laboratory assays utilizing specialized equipment such as flow cytometers, use of standard equipment, and/or other routine lab techniques/procedures.
  • Must stay up to date on relevant published research and incorporate recent findings into the development of his/her research.
  • Run laboratory tests and complete measurements assigned utilizing standard or established laboratory protocols, including the set-up of experiments based on defined standards, the collection of project data, analyzing and interpreting results, making conclusions based on the collected data, and designing follow-up experiments. Use basic scientific knowledge to learn techniques/methods of the lab and/or new techniques/methods.
  • Perform standard laboratory tasks and complete routine assays following common or established protocols and procedures.
  • Contribute to the development of new research protocols or the modification of existing protocols to improve efficiency/productivity.
  • Gain problem-solving skills through progressive training, understanding of the research, and experience.
  • Play a role in experiments and projects that utilize animal models, which will include both project specific animal procedures and assisting with maintaining the laboratory mouse colony.
  • May be required to prepare, test, and maintain standard laboratory equipment, perform related laboratory maintenance, monitoring inventory of supplies, cleaning equipment, and/or ordering of research/laboratory supplies.
  • Present research findings and data at regularly occurring laboratory meetings. Assist with writing and preparing data/figures for peer-reviewed as well as potentially present research findings and data at research conferences as directed by the laboratory director.
  • Perform miscellaneous related duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Proficiency in the use of software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
  • Knowledge of medical terminology Outstanding organizational skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Excellent time management skills.
  • Ability to understand and implement support for clinical trials.
  • Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects, and effectively prioritize each.
  • Outstanding verbal communication.
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills.
  • Must adhere to guidelines regarding honest reporting of sensitive and confidential patient information.
  • Understands the importance/impact of data integrity in terms of patients, study results, costs, quality of service and scientific research in general.
  • Regular contact with physicians, other health care personnel and occasionally, patients, requires the use of good judgment, tact and sensitivity.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
  • One year laboratory experience performing relevant techniques.
  • Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

 


 

Classified Title: Research Specialist 
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Research Specialist   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MA  
Starting Salary Range: $16.92 - $29.61 HRLY ($48,400 targeted; Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 A.M - 5:00 P.M 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Medicine Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM Uro Urology Research 
Personnel area: School of Medicine 

 

 


Total Rewards
The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University’s salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Education and Experience Equivalency
Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

Applicants Completing Studies
Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

Background Checks
The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

Accommodation Information
If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/.

Vaccine Requirements
Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.
The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

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