SP - Research Assistant 1

At UConn Health, the Vargas-Rodriguez Lab is seeking a Research Assistant to support research in molecular microbiology and biochemistry. The Research Assistant will gain hands-on laboratory skills investigating adaptive mechanisms of protein synthesis in diverse bacterial pathogens using genetics, biochemistry, structural analysis, and molecular biology methods.

The Vargas-Rodriguez Lab is invested in training the next generation of scientists in a highly collaborative community. During the 12-month appointment, the Research Assistant will attend weekly meetings to discuss research progress and future career goals. They will be encouraged to participate in seminars, workshops, and other events associated with scientific training and career development offered across UConn Health.

The Research Assistant will also contribute to the overall mission of UConn Health and the Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics. Their prior experience should demonstrate their dedication to developing their experience in teamwork, leadership, innovation, and scientific inquiry.

Works under the close supervision of an employee of higher grade.

• Performs a limited range of related duties in conducting laboratory tests, provides support services for assigned research projects.

• May assist higher level research staff on assigned projects.

• Receives trainee assignments in designated research protocols, procedures, techniques and equipment.

• Performs related duties as required.

• Basic knowledge of research protocols, principles and procedures.

• Basic knowledge of scientific techniques such as tissue culturing, reagent/solution preparation, staining, etc.

• Basic knowledge of experimental design, mathematics, statistics, computer applications, laboratory equipment and procedures.

• Basic knowledge of a science such as; chemistry, biology, microbiology, pharmacology.

• Basic knowledge of physical and data resources in application scientific disciplines.

• Oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to identify, produce, organize, analyze, evaluate and interpret data.

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline, i.e., Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biology or other related areas may be substituted on a case-by-case basis.

Incumbents in this class may be required to undergo periodic tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.

• Prior Research Experience is a plus.

• Experience with aseptic techniques, proficiency with micropipettes, familiarity with molecular cloning (PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, etc.).

• Experience culturing bacterial cells and performing growth assays.

• Familiarity with protein and nucleic acid purification and handling.

Incumbents in this class may be occasionally required to lift heavy objects such as standard laboratory equipment and/or trays/boxes or glassware; may be exposed to such hazards as broken glass, toxic vapors radioactive materials, and toxic or disease carrying substances.

SCHEDULE: Full time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

UConn Health is a vibrant, integrated academic medical center that is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care. A commitment to human health and well-being has been of utmost importance to UConn Health since the founding of the University of Connecticut schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine in 1961. Based on a strong foundation of groundbreaking research, first-rate education, and quality clinical care, we have expanded our medical missions over the decades. In just over 50 years, UConn Health has evolved to encompass more research endeavors, to provide more ways to access our superior care, and to innovate both practical medicine and our methods of educating the practitioners of tomorrow.