Research Specialist

Position Summary

For the past 60 years, the cost of developing a new drug has doubled roughly every nine years. This phenomenon is known as Eroom’s law, a term coined because it is the backwards spelling of Moore’s law – the famous observation by Gordon Moore that compute power increases exponentially with time. Eroom’s law is in part responsible for the ballooning cost of health care. We seek to develop new technologies to halt or even reverse the ever increasing costs of drug discovery. We are developing methods to better identify targets and to identify small molecule inhibitors of targets once they are identified.

This is a position in the Mitra lab. Our supportive environment values team work and provides a collaborative, highly productive and supportive scientific work environment. We seek a Research Specialist to design, conduct and oversee the aforementioned project. The successful applicant will have substantial lab experience, and sharp attention to detail is a must. This position offers superb opportunities for continued scientific learning, and continued career development including potential authorship. We are located in a recently renovated space in the Couch Biomedical Research Building.

Provides critically complex research and experimentation for department/s allowing the advancement of scientific analysis and discovery. Serves as a subject matter expert offering support, training and guidance relative to the discipline/area. May participate and or present on the research developed, or the established work of those within the department.

Job Description

For more information on the lab please visit http://genetics.wustl.edu/rmlab/.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves as a representative for the PI and ensures procedures and protocols are adhered to consistently and effectively meet the department’s standard. Exhibits a high degree of independent problem solving and ability to conduct research on assigned projects.
• With the Principal Investigator, designs, performs and evaluates experiments to develop new technologies.
• Records experimental results in an electronic lab notebook in a clear and detailed fashion. ​
• Develops experiments to troubleshoot technical problems.
• Researches and recommends new methods and procedures to reach technical milestones.
• Plans, develops, organizes and formalizes research results and findings. May develop for presentation and/or present on behalf of department. Conducts literature searches related to research projects.
• Solves practical problems relating to difficulty with equipment or test subjects. Suggests technical/ procedural improvements in various methods. Provides high level troubleshooting to advance process or lab procedures.
• Serves as department’s research representative and may participate in various related meetings and events. Gathers/delivers data/information and serves as subject matter expert.
• Organizes and maintains required documentation on lab and/or specimen conditions and can develop and summarize information into usable formats or presentations on behalf of the department. May communicate findings to various users or external audiences.
• Performs all related work in accordance with established protocols and safety/compliance requirements.

Working Conditions

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Preferred Qualification

• Working knowledge of computer software, general lab equipment, and basic UNIX commands.
• Ability to learn operation and troubleshooting of laboratory automation equipment.
• Experience with one or more of the following techniques: Western Blots, qRT-PCR, mammalian cell culture, immunoprecipitation, flow sorting (FACS), next-generation sequencing, molecular cloning techniques, lentiviral production, or next-generation sequencing.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills with ability to present on various research topics to internal or external audiences.
• Dedicated, highly motivated individual with attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and communicate well with laboratory staff, students, and investigators.
• Ability to maintain complete, detailed, well organized records/reports and update databases as needed.
• Ability to work in lab research environment.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in a related field with 4 years of experience in a laboratory setting or equivalent combination of relevant education and work experience equaling at least 10 years.

Grade

R09

Salary Range

$43,888.00 – $75,600.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one’s qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.