Requisition ID:  115356

Sr. Research Specialist

The Neurology Department is seeking a Sr. Research Specialist. The Sr. Research Specialist will play an integral role in research studies conducted in the BrainSigns laboratory (www.brainsigns.net). The lab conducts translational research involving healthy subjects enrolled in multiple longitudinal studies of aging and Alzheimer’s disease at the Johns Hopkins Alzheimer’ Disease Research Center as well as cross-sectional studies involving patients seen in the Center for Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders Clinic. The Sr. Research Specialist will focus on conducting specialized assays on blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples from different cohorts as well as develop and optimize new assays. The specialist will also assist in recruiting and consenting research subjects in the clinic. The Specialist will ensure all data collected is entered into the appropriate clinical and biospecimen databases. The Specialist is responsible for preparing annual IRB reports and changes in research protocol. This position also involves being on call for any potential biospecimen freezer issues after hours and over the weekend which is shared across multiple lab members.


Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Performing assays including simple and multiplex ELISAs, Simple Westerns, genomic DNA extraction, genotyping, RT-PCR assays, single molecule analyzer assays and Olink proximity extension assays.
  • Enrollment and withdrawal of participants in clinical research studies.
  • Interviewing subjects, their informants, consenting subjects and generating annual IRB reports.
  • Maintain the biospecimen inventory housed in -80C freezers using Lockbox LIMS and freezer monitoring using the Imonnit remote temperature monitoring system
  • Maintain and update the clinical registry using the electronic data capture system - REDCap.
  • Maintain logs of weekly/monthly instrument calibration and validation protocols and maintain detailed logs of each instrument.
  • Performing cognitive, gait and vision assessments in patients seen in the Center for CSF disorders clinic.
  • Coordinating the safe transfer of biospecimens to storage freezers located on site, maintaining an inventory as well as the monitoring and overseeing the maintenance schedules of these freezers to ensure the samples will remain viable for any future analyses. This includes being on emergency call by rotation.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.


Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point.


Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, or related field.
  • Four year's experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.
  • Must be willing to learn blood collection by phlebotomy. Appropriate training will be provided.
  • Must reliable transportation to ensure lab emergencies can be attended to after hours.
  • Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree in related field.
  • Experience running ELISAs, Western Blots, DNA extraction, genotyping
  • Proficiency in the use of common software applications including databases (REDCap, etc.), regulatory applications (eIRB, etc.), clinical computer systems (Epic, etc.), spreadsheets, and word processing.

 


 

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 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 
Exempt Status: Exempt 
Location: Johns Hopkins Bayview 
Department name: SOM Neuro Hydrocephalus  
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.

Johns Hopkins Bayview