Research Assistant

The School of Biological Sciences is looking for a Research Assistant to be based in Dr. Daniel Becker's group at the University of Oklahoma. The position will involve virology and immunology analyses of wild bat samples, including hematology, RT-PCR, and serum proteomics. The Research Assistant will also manage data, oversee laboratory organization, and collaborate with the PI and group members to contribute to publications and grants.

Essential Duties:

• Hematological analysis of blood smears

• Nucleic acid extraction from swabs and tissue

• cDNA conversion and PCR for viral gene targets

• Preparing amplicons for sanger sequencing

• Quality control of viral sequence data

• Preparing chemical reagents

• Extracting peptides from bat serum samples

• Managing laboratory data and protocols

• Maintaining laboratory inventory

• Other duties as assigned

Required Education: High School Diploma/GED, AND:

• 12 - 24 months experience in a laboratory

Skills:

• Experience with molecular biology

• Experience with sequence data

• Strong organizational and communication skills

Certifications:

• Rabies pre-exposure vaccination will be provided prior to laboratory analyses

Advertised Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit or stand at a laboratory bench for repetitive pipetting

• May be required to carry objects up to 25 lbs.

• Finger and fine motor skills required

Department Preferences:

• Bachelors or Masters degree

• Experience with preparing chemical reagents

• Experience with nucleic acid extraction and RT-PCR

• Experience working under BSL-2 conditions

• Experience with organizing and maintaining data records

Supervision: The Research Assistant will help supervise undergraduate and graduate students in the group on hematology, molecular, and biochemical protocols.

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy. To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

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