Research Assistant

About the role

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

Saint Louis University is committed to cultivating a welcoming academic and workplace community where all individuals are respected, supported, and empowered to succeed. We believe that a culture of belonging enriches learning, discovery, patient care, and service, and we value the broad range of experiences, perspectives, and talents that strengthen our mission.

Job Summary

The Research Assistant supports the Principal Investigator (PI) by performing moderately complex research and experimentation following established protocols. This position performs routine lab and equipment maintenance, such as cleaning glassware, counter tops, and equipment, sets-up and operates various scientific apparatus, and assists with research projects, and conducting independent research.. This position also performs various clerical and editorial duties, to include compiling, processing, and analyzing data.

The Sengupta lab is looking to hire a full-time Research Assistant to contribute to molecular biology and/or electrophysiology experiments and animal husbandry. Our lab uses the zebrafish model system to study the function and development of neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem in an effort to understand how movements are coordinated and how this coordination develops with age. We use a combination of molecular biology, electrophysiology, optogenetics and behavior imaging to achieve our goals.

Animal care: The candidate will perform basic fish husbandry duties, regeneration and maintenance of fish lines, genotyping, and creating transgenic fish lines.

This position is being funded by a grant and/or designated source and therefore continuation in the position is contingent upon funding availability.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Assists with research projects; performs independent research; plans, designs and implements research projects; prepares and maintains culture media, reagents, and experimental animals; grows cultures; administers injections; performs various assays; sterilizes equipment; separates and purifies various materials and substances using such techniques as chromatography and electrophoresis; orders laboratory supplies; performs library research; prepares compounds; interprets experimental test data; performs minor equipment repairs; cuts, stains and mounts specimens
• Ensures feedings of the adult and baby fish.
• Maintains and harvests saltwater rotifers and stocks young zebrafish larvae.
• Performs embryo injections and confocal imaging.
• Depending on expertise, performs molecular biology / electrophysiology related experiments and analyses data
• Sets-up and operates various scientific apparatus; sets-up and operates spectrophotometer, fraction collectors, centrifuges, incubators, homogenizers, and various microscopes
• Performs various clerical duties including typing, answering phones, preparing correspondence, preparing and maintaining bibliographies, and completing applications and forms
• Compiles processes and analyzes data; records research procedures and results; files and maintains records; codes data for input for electronic data processing; inputs and retrieves data using computers
• Working some weekends and holidays is required for this role for animal care
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Broad knowledge involving laboratory techniques or other specialized knowledge is desired
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Interpersonal/human relation skills
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to tend to details
• Ability to maintain records and inventories
• Ability to operate a personal computer

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in science or a closely related field is required; Biology, Neuroscience or a similar field preferred
• Able to work independently and showcase problem-solving skills
• Possess strong organizational, communication and time management skills
• Ability to work as a member of team
• Ability to work some weekends and holidays for animal care is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with molecular biology techniques (like cloning, RNA isolation, PCR, RT-PCR) and/or electrophysiology (whole cell patch clamping, calcium imaging)
• Prior experience with programming in R/MATLAB/Python or similar

Work Schedule Expectations: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, and select weekends and holidays as needed

Full-Time Benefits

Saint Louis University offers a robust benefits package, such as tuition remission benefits for full-time employees and their dependents, comprehensive health coverage, generous retirement plans, and paid time off. Additionally, employees enjoy an inclusive community, wellness programs, and various discounts, all reflecting the university's commitment to their well-being and success.

Department: Biology

On-Campus Location: Macelwane Hall, 3507 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103

• Function
• Lab Support
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40