Student Assistant (Multiple Vacancies)

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Student Assistant (Multiple Vacancies) Job Category Staff & Executive

• Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory) Department RWJ-RINTS Overview

New Jersey's academic health center, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care, and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University-New Brunswick and collaborating universitywide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network, and five centers and institutes that focus on cancer treatment and research, neuroscience, advanced biotechnology and medicine, environmental and occupational health, and health care policy and aging research.

Our faculty are teachers, clinicians, and scientists with unparalleled experience who advance medical innovation and provide patient care informed by the latest research findings. We offer an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research, and the full spectrum of allied health careers.

Our clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state-at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, including Piscataway; and at locations in Newark, Scotch Plains, Somerset, Stratford, and other locations. Clinical partners include Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Newark's University Hospital in Newark, and other affiliates.

Through this community of healers, scientists, and scholars, Rutgers is equipped as never before to transform lives.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking a Student Assistant for the department of Neurology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The mission of the lab is to follow a network-based approach to understand the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (mainly Parkinson's disease and secondarily Alzheimer's disease), with the ultimate aim being to utilize this strategy to develop combination treatments. This strategy distinguishes our lab from a decades-long tradition in the field of zeroing in on specific genes and focusing on the development of monotherapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Simultaneously, the lab aspires to remain at the cutting edge in terms of cellular and molecular biology techniques and to advance the neurodegeneration field by developing innovative tools and technologies that we will share with the research community. To achieve those goals, we are currently using mammalian cell lines (including stable cell lines) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) as model systems, as well as human brain tissue. In the future, and as our research program advances, we will expand our toolkit to also include mouse work and computational analyses of large omics datasets. Some of the techniques we use include standard cell and molecular biology techniques, flow cytometry, microscopy (standard imaging and FRET, FLIM, FRAP), high throughput genetic and chemical screens, single cell and spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, genomics, optogenetics and histology. Lab website: eleannakaralab.com

Previous research experience is required. It is also expected that the incumbent is comfortable working independently under the direction of the Principal Investigator and already has a good understanding of the techniques used in the lab. This position is ideal for somebody looking to gain high quality research experience and improve their research skills and resume before going to graduate school (PhD, MD or MD/PhD). Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Eleanna Kara, the incumbent will work on a project in a laboratory dedicated to studying the molecular pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease, identifying therapeutic targets and testing new therapeutic agents. S/He will work in a new lab as part of a highly integrated research team utilizing a variety of laboratory technologies and approaches. Appropriate training in all techniques necessary for the project will be provided. The incumbent must have a genuine interest in research and in the work undertaken in our lab and be committed to improve their research skills and progressively develop research competence; those attributes will be assessed during the interview. Exceptional support will be provided to the recruits in that direction, and it is anticipated that the incumbent will take full advantage of the training and professional development opportunities provided. The applicant will join in ongoing research projects. Contributions to our research will be appropriately acknowledged through co-authorship on published manuscripts.

Among the key duties of this position are the following:

• Carry out studies with cultured cell lines and iPSc derived neurons.

• Optimize assays to model and study specific disease processes of neurodegenerative diseases and miniaturize them to enable high throughput screens.

• Perform high throughput genetic and chemical screens.

• Perform proteomics, lipidomics, genomics and transcriptomics experiments and analyses, in collaboration with core facilities at Rutgers.

• Undertake histology, genetics and biochemistry experiments on human neuropathological materials.

• Perform molecular biology experiments that involve cloning of specific cDNAs in various vectors including viral vectors, PCR, sequence analyses, transcription assays, Western blotting, DNAprotein interaction, and cell biologic studies.

Position Status Part Time Hours Per Week Daily Work Shift Work Arrangement

This position requires a fully on-site work arrangement.

FLSA Nonexempt Grade 99H Position Salary Annual Minimum Salary Annual Mid Range Salary Annual Maximum Salary Standard Hours 35.00 Union Description Non-Union Payroll Designation PeopleSoft Benefits

Rutgers offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. For details, please go to http://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/benefits-overview.

Seniority Unit Terms of Appointment Temporary Staff Appointment

• Hourly Position Pension Eligibility

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Applicant must be a current Rutger's student in a graduate or undergraduate program.

• Applicants for the wet lab position must be majoring in Behavioural Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.

• Applicants for the hybrid bioinformatics and wet lab position must have one of two backgrounds: a) majored in mathematics, computer science or related disciplines and have some experience in biology, for example through a previous laboratory stint during their undergraduate degree, and be willing to learn how to perform wet lab experiments with training by the PI and other lab members and acquire biology knowledge through independent reading; b) majored in disciplines relevant to biology with additional meaningful experience in coding and computational analyses, and the ability to undertake basic coding projects independently with some guidance from the PI.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• It is expected that the incumbent has relevant research experience and can work independently under the direction of the principal investigator.

• Techniques that will be used include DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, Gel electrophoresis, cell line iPSc-neuron cultures, Fluorescence and Confocal microscopy and associated imaging analysis and Western blotting.

• S/he should also be able to operate standard laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, culture hoods, incubators, PCR machines, shaking incubators and plate readers.

• For individuals to be considered for hybrid wet lab and computational positions, coding skills in python, MATLAB and R are essential.

• Basic skills in Microsoft Office Excel, Word and Powerpoint are expected by all individuals.

Preferred Qualifications Equipment Utilized Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Physical Demands: The incumbent needs to be physically capable of performing the above duties, including pipetting, measuring weights and volumes accurately, standing on feet and walking to other buildings on the campus. Occasionally, certain heavy items in the laboratory may need to be lifted, such as small equipment, boxes and bottles. H/She should communicate his/her research plans and findings verbally and in writing in proper English to the team and to the scientific community in presentations and publications.

Special Conditions

Posting Details

Posting Number 24ST1116 Posting Open Date Special Instructions to Applicants Regional Campus Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Home Location Campus Piscataway (RBHS) City Piscataway State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• Are you a current Rutgers student?

• Yes

• No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application