JOBS

The Department of Physiology at Midwestern University, Downers Grove is looking for a motivated, enthusiastic, and scientifically curious Research Assistant to provide research support for the Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology. The Research Assistant is expected to assist in the design and execution of animal, cellular, and molecular biology-based research projects; data collection and analysis; and preparation of figures for manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications. The candidate should have experience working with laboratory mice. This position will report to the Associate Professor and is grant funded.
Pay is $24.36 an hour. They offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance. They offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account; paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days; 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, childcare subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program; and a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain transgenic mouse colonies under supervision: Mice breeding, handling, ear tagging, drug delivery via intraperitoneal, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injections, genotyping (obtain tail snips and perform PCR analyses), and accurate maintenance of colony records.
• Cell culture maintenance under supervision: Generation, propagation and maintenance of sterile cell cultures and intestinal organoids, performing basic in vitro experiments, including but not limited to harvesting, splitting, and freezing cells, drug delivery to cultures, protein, and RNA extractions.
• Competently perform standard molecular biology techniques (western blot, gel electrophoresis, RT-PCR, qPCR, chromatin immunoprecipitations, immunohistochemistry, molecular cloning, etc.) under faculty supervision.
• Graph, analyze, and evaluate generated data, and contribute to abstract submissions and poster preparation.
• Maintain an accurate lab notebook and assist with trouble-shooting technical issues.
• Assist in literature searches for protocol development and optimization.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of lab, lab equipment, and supplies.
• Adhere to laboratory safety and regulatory procedures and maintain lab chemical inventory.
• Obtain quotes and perform ordering and receiving duties for lab supplies.