Research Assistant I - Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology

West Virginia University Health Science Center is currently accepting applications for a Research Assistant I for Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology

About the Opportunity

This position will assist the principal investigator in conducting research in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. This research involves inhalation toxicology as well as cell and molecular biology studies on laboratory animals and cultured cells.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
* 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
* 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year
* 18 sick days per year
(for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
* WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits (this position is a benefits-eligible non-classified staff position)
* 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
* Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Performs a wide variety of in vivo experiments to include particulate (ultrafine/nanoparticle) and gaseous (ozone, cigarette smoke) exposures using pharyngeal/tracheal aspiration and inhalation
• Assists principal investigator with animal surgeries
• Collects and preserves biological samples (blood, lung lavage, tissues)
• Processes, records, analyzes, and interprets data
• Prepares and organizes basic information for reports to be written by the principal investigator
• Performs in vitro experiments to include cell and tissue culture propagation and maintenance, DNA/RNA isolation
• Performs PCR and western blots
• Maintains laboratory animal colony and breeding/progeny records
• Trains graduate students and other research personnel, providing guidance and sharing knowledge
• Prepares reagents, media, and solutions needed for laboratory experiments
• Reviews safety procedures for handling, storage, and disposal of biohazards and ensures laboratory is in-compliance with existing rules and regulations
• Inventories and purchases laboratory supplies, ensuring proper guidelines are followed
• Advises principal investigator on the purchase of equipment, ensuring proper guidelines are followed
• Operates, calibrates, cleans, and performs routine maintenance on laboratory equipment
• Assists with laboratory animal care and performs euthanasia on laboratory animals as instructed by principal investigator
  
• Sterilizes and cleans glassware, and disposes of laboratory waste following appropriate procedures

Pay Grade: 15

• Bachelor degree in biomedical science field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 0-6 months experience.
• Preferred experience:
  
  
  
  • Working in a scientific laboratory and conducting biomedical research
  • Conducting animal research
  • Using personal computer with Microsoft Office and a statistical software package such as Graphpad Prism
  
  
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to acquire and apply effectively the policies, procedures, and guidelines governing this position to include (but not limited to) regulatory and safety guidelines, operating and maintenance instructions, and laboratory procedures
• Demonstrated ability to keep accurate and thorough records
• Excellent critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organization, prioritization, and time management skills
• Ability to exercise independent judgement and exhibit initiative
• Ability to work in a demanding lab environment with frequent interruptions and/or distractions
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision and to be proactive in raising efficiency, productivity, and
  knowledge, with the willingness to learn new techniques, software, and processes
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment, with the ability to establish cooperative working
  relationships

Due to the nature of this job, it may or may not require Medical Monitoring

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley - the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU's academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.