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Requisition ID:  115764

Sr. Research Specialist

We are seeking a Sr. Research Specialist who will provide technical assistance in rat colony management (breeding, maintaining colony census, genotyping), and molecular and histological analysis of rat brain tissue. In addition to this primary responsibility, the Sr. Research Specialist will assist with other ongoing experiments such as behavioral testing of young and aged rats and surgical procedures.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities


Scientific Research and Reporting

  • Maintains experimental animals, strategizes breeding, training, and behavioral testing, performs basic histological techniques.
  • Performs all aspects of experiments related to investigation of cognitive function in aging including, but not limited to DNA/RNA/protein extraction, in situ hybridization, western blotting, real time PCR, immunohistochemistry, maintenance of experimental and laboratory records.
  • Designs experiments and develops/tests protocols.
  • Understands the operational modalities of collaborative labs to perform and track the progress of interdependent experiments.
  • Evaluates experimental results, identifies problems, and proposes and implements plans for solutions.
  • Actively engage in ongoing research projects and provide support as necessary to ensure that researchers achieve milestones.
  • Meets regularly with Principal Investigators and other research staff members to review data accuracy and overall study progress.
  • Determines course of action for research projects regarding assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction as needed.
  • Manages independent projects.
  • Independently evaluates whether scientific component parts of experiments are working as expected.
  • Serves as liaison with various entities throughout the scientific community.
  • Contributes to data interpretation, manuscript preparation and publishing.
  • Intellectually contributes to moving the project forward.
  • Duties may also include preparation and performing animal perfusion and brain dissection.
  • Stay updated on scientific literature, seminars, and lectures to make informed decisions on scientific strategies and research development.
  • Continuously learn new techniques and methods as required for the advancement of research goals.


Data Management

  • Performs data analysis.
  • Ensures that research data is properly recorded and managed, including analyzing whether data makes sense based on calibrations and scientific hypothesis.
  • Uses specialized software applications to assemble, manipulate, and/or format data and reports.
  • Maintain data archives and organize study files.


Technical Support

  • Provides on and off-site technical consultation and training to associate research scientists, post-doctoral fellows, and laboratory staff members.
  • Provide technical support and assistance jointly between collaborative labs that study cognitive aging.
  • Apply technical knowledge to support ongoing research activities.


Laboratory Support

  • Responsible for maintaining a clean and safe lab space, including proper labeling of new supplies/materials and proper disposal of chemicals and other waste, and other duties as assigned.
  • Conduct routine review of, troubleshoot, and resolve any problems with lab equipment.
  • Monitors inventory levels of laboratory materials and supplies, facilitates purchase of supplies/materials as needed, and verifies orders upon receipt.
  • Independently identifies and resolves operational issues as needed.
  • Serves as emergency contact for laboratories and back-up to the laboratory manager when required due to inclement weather or laboratory member absences.


Safety and Training

  • Trains and manages undergraduates, graduate students, and others rotating through the laboratory.
  • Responsible for monitoring radiation usage and disposal, as well as associated record maintenance for the lab.


Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.
  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and able to communicate effectively and proactively in a collaborative team environment.
  • Excellent time management skills.
  • Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects, and effectively prioritize each.
  • Experience in using and maintaining electrophysiology recording probes and their related electronic/computer interfaces is desired.
  • Knowledge of standard protocols for PCR, basic molecular biology techniques, immunohistochemistry, tissue processing, and maintenance of experimental/laboratory records.
  • Must be familiar with office and laboratory applications of Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel) and/or data analysis software (SAS, SPSS).
  • Ability to work highly independently, but also collaboratively with individuals within the laboratory as well as from other research groups.
  • Knowledge of dosing, preparation and delivery of centrally acting drugs.


Level of Independent Decision Making

  • Highly independent.


Technical qualifications or specialized certifications

  • DNA/RNA/protein extraction, in situ hybridization, western blotting, real time PCR, immunohistochemistry, basic histological techniques, animal handling, rodent husbandry, utilizing rodent behavioral paradigms, perfusion and brain dissection.
  • No specific certifications


Physical Requirements 

  • No allergy to rodents.
  • Able to stand for extended periods of time and reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.
  • Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s).
  • Ability to move some moderately-large equipment (under 50lbs) and boxes in a laboratory environment. Ability to move within a laboratory environment where space can be very tight/small.


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


Preferred Qualifications
  • Previous experience working with animals, rodent husbandry, utilizing rodent behavioral paradigms, PCR, and/or immunohistochemistry.
  • Previous experience with or other similar behavioral testing/data collection programs.
  • Coursework in basic cell or molecular biology or neuroscience.

 

 

Classified Title: Sr. Research Specialist   
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MC  
Starting Salary Range: $48,000 - $84,100 Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: M-F/9:00AM-5:00PM - Some weekends may be required based on timing of experiments. 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Homewood Campus 
Department name: ​​​​​​​Psychological and Brain Sciences  
Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences 

 

 

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.
Homewood Campus

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