Research Associate I - Heung Lab - Lung Institute

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Cedars-Sinai offers scientists unparalleled access to ground breaking technologies, facilities, and resources for conducting research related to an impressive range of diseases and disorders, from cancer, cardiology, and digestive diseases, to genetics, genomics, neurosciences, and women's health.

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Principal Investigator, Lena Heung, MD, PhD is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate I to join her research team in the Women's Guild Lung Institute!

The Heung Laboratory studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the immune system regulates host responses to respiratory fungal pathogens.

Currently, the lab is investigating the role of inflammatory monocytes and DAP12-mediated signaling pathways in the pulmonary immune response to Cryptococcus species, environmental fungi that cause lung and central nervous system infections in immuno-compromised and immuno-competent patients.

Working under direct supervision, the incumbent performs a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of one or more laboratory research projects in a specific area of research.

The Research Associate I assists in general laboratory activities including maintenance of reagents and stocking of supplies, files and monitors documents, and keeps accurate records of experiments and results.

This role assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery and observes safety standards and procedures. This position will be able to perform routine cellular, micro- and molecular biology procedures including, but not limited to Western, Northern blot, DNA / RNA, PCR, protein extraction, cell culture, Immunohistochemistry, and staining.

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities :

• May assist with animal husbandry.
• Maintains lab equipment and related records.
• Transports, processes, and logs samples.
• Maintains computer database with relevant clinical information.
• Performs lab maintenance duties, including glassware cleaning and sterilization.
• Maintains stocks of general lab materials, and places orders for equipment and supplies.
• Assists new students and fellows at the laboratory.
• Performs a variety of routine laboratory tasks and procedures.
• Keeps accurate and detailed project records of experiments and results.

Department-Specific Responsibilities :

• Organizes and maintains mouse lines.
• Performs animal work including infections, injections, and tissue harvest as well as breeding, weaning, and genotyping of transgenic and knockout animals.
• Other duties may include : Tissue culture, preparation of microbial cultures, ELISA, Western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, flow cytometry, immunohistochemical and quantitative analysis of tissue samples, organization and maintenance of samples and other laboratory stock material.
• Assists other researchers as assigned.

Education :

Bachelor's degree in a Science related field, required.

Experience :

• Prior experience handling and breeding mice is preferred.
• Knowledge of routine laboratory procedures, experimental protocols, and overall lab organization.
• Ability to work independently and to simultaneously manage multiple tasks with attention to details.
• Must possess digital literacy in Excel and Word.

Physical Demands :

Able to work with rodents, perform procedures / benchwork, and use specialized equipment and computers for extended periods of time.

Able to perform moderate lifting. Able to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time. Able to exercise physical ability and perspective acuity to satisfactorily perform essential job functions.

Duties will require walking throughout the Medical Center.