Laboratory Research Assistant Jobs in Rochester, MN

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented, energetic, ambitious, and creative individual to help shape the future of a discovery-oriented biomedical research laboratory, new to the Mayo Clinic. We are searching for an individual who will take a major role in coordinating operations for this large and growing laboratory team. The lab is jointly directed by two senior Principal Investigators who are newly recruited members of the Mayo Clinic Staff:

Dr. Peter Lucas - Vice Chair for Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

Dr. Linda McAllister - Enterprise Deputy Director, Pediatric Cancer Programs, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center

The successful candidate will work closely with our team, which includes a Laboratory Manager / Principal Research Technologist, a Senior Program Coordinator Administrative Leader, Senior Research Scientists, Post-Doctoral fellows, and PhD Student Trainees. 

Core Job responsibilities include:

1. Assists in design of experiments and protocols. Executes experimental studies in support of lab goals.

2. Demonstrates a basic understanding of lab practices.

3. Performs experiments according to established procedure and under the direction of senior lab personnel.

4. Keeps detailed log of experimental procedures.

5. Trains lab personnel in lab techniques.

6. Maintains equipment and supplies.

7. Assists in the selection of instrumentation and computer software and hardware.

8. Collects, documents and analyzes data.

9. Presents data at lab meetings.

10. Reports difficulties in experimentation and data collection and follows through with protocol modifications.

11. Troubleshoots problems using established or novel experimental procedures.

12. Communicates effectively during team meetings about research design and results interpretation.

13. Maintains inventory of supplies, chemicals, animals, in a written or electronic format.

14. Provides training on the use of instrumentation and methods.

15. Maintains governmental laboratory regulations and standards (i.e., IRB, IACUC, OSHA, Bio-safety, etc.).

16. Contributes to IACUC or IRB protocols.

17. Interacts and negotiates with supply and equipment vendors.

18. Prepares graphs, tables and figures for grants and manuscripts.

19. Interprets results and reports results to investigators.

20. Strives to improve knowledge in appropriate field of research investigation.

21. Communicates effectively about projects in teams meetings.

22. Attends lectures, seminars and journal clubs to increase knowledge base.

23. Reads literature to gain knowledge relevant to current work assignment.

 Other areas of responsibility will be:

- Assist, organize and execute lab operations involving various areas of biomedical research, with a focus on cancer biology and immune-oncology.

- Work with Senior Research Scientists, post-doctoral trainees and PhD trainees to perform experiments, maintain laboratory operations and contribute to method develop as needed for individual projects.

- Assist the laboratory manager in routine laboratory operations including regulatory documentation/compliance (chemical safety, biosafety, IACUC and IRBs), personnel training (when ready), equipment/reagent maintenance, and ordering.

- Assist within vivo work including but not limited to experimentation and colony management.

- Maintain or acquire deep expertise in multiple cancer biology related laboratory techniques including, but not limited to:

• Cell Culture and Viral Techniques: Mammalian cell culture, transient transfection, lentiviral/retroviral production, and stable cell line generation
• Protein Analysis: Western blotting, ELISA, immunohistochemistry (IHC), confocal microscopy
• Molecular Biology and DNA technologies: qPCR, DNA/RNA preparation, molecular cloning, and plasmid preparation
• Flow Cytometry: Sample preparation, staining, and basic data acquisition/analysis
• Animal Work: Mouse handling, murine tumor modeling, intraperitoneal (IP) injection, and subcutaneous injection

- Demonstrate strong organizational and record keeping skills; ability to accurately collect, store and interpret research data.

- Maintain a laboratory notebook, to include experimental protocols, data analysis, experimental findings etc.

- Assist/collaborate with preparation of figures and tables for manuscripts and grants, as well as preparation of materials and methods for manuscripts and grants.

- Maintain or acquire expertise in scientific computational skills, statistical skills and bioinformatic analyses.

- Regularly confer with laboratory Principal Investigators and Laboratory Manager regarding all aspects of the position.

- Present at research laboratory meetings and contribute to writing of manuscripts.

Requires bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, other relevant science. Preference for candidates with at least 2 years of relevant research laboratory experience. Must exhibit a solid understanding of lab techniques, equipment, and safety. Must have the ability to organize and carry out laboratory techniques independently and in a team setting. Must be able to work with a variety of people at all levels both within and outside of the institution. 

Experience with basic data analysis is required. This position requires demonstrated writing skills.