Research Specialist

The laboratory of Dr. Kenneth Pienta (https://www.kennethjpienta.com) is seeking a well-qualified, driven Research Specialist. The successful candidate will be expected to be proficient in a large repertoire of research techniques that will allow them to work in both an independent manner as well as part of a collaborative team within the laboratory and with collaborators at JHU and other institutions. The position will also assist with coordinating a variety of laboratory responsibilities.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintaining inventory/stock of critical consumables.
• Aliquoting of lab mission-critical reagents (FBS, P/S).
• Lab infrastructure tasks, i.e., autoclaving Pasteur pipettes, CO2 tanks for TC, incubators. Serving as point of contact for vendors - including "catching" equipment (like recently, TC incubators, -80 freezer, BSCs).
• Disposing of hazardous waste.
• Training of new lab members, including for TC, general bench SOP.
• Daily experiments that include use of highly technical equipment including the confocal microscope, the S3 flow cytometer, the Wolf cytometer, and the nCounter.
• Work independently on assigned projects, utilizing established research protocols as well as base knowledge of general laboratory procedures and skills.
• Function as primary specialist on 1-2 projects while performing other tasks related to ongoing laboratory projects or overall laboratory operations, per the PI's discretion. Make significant and important contributions to various aspects of research efforts, including troubleshooting, and providing training and guidance other JHU employees or trainees (undergraduate, graduate, or post-doc) in experiments and laboratory assays utilizing specialized equipment such as flow cytometers, use of standard equipment, and/or other routine lab techniques/procedures.
• Must stay up to date on relevant published research and incorporate recent findings into the development of his/her research.
• Run laboratory tests and complete measurements assigned utilizing standard or established laboratory protocols, including the set-up of experiments based on defined standards, the collection of project data, analyzing and interpreting results, making conclusions based on the collected data, and designing follow-up experiments. Use basic scientific knowledge to learn techniques/methods of the lab and/or new techniques/methods.
• Perform standard laboratory tasks and complete routine assays following common or established protocols and procedures.
• Contribute to the development of new research protocols or the modification of existing protocols to improve efficiency/productivity.
• Gain problem-solving skills through progressive training, understanding of the research, and experience.
• Play a role in experiments and projects that utilize animal models, which will include both project specific animal procedures and assisting with maintaining the laboratory mouse colony.
• May be required to prepare, test, and maintain standard laboratory equipment, perform related laboratory maintenance, monitoring inventory of supplies, cleaning equipment, and/or ordering of research/laboratory supplies.
• Present research findings and data at regularly occurring laboratory meetings. Assist with writing and preparing data/figures for peer-reviewed as well as potentially present research findings and data at research conferences as directed by the laboratory director.
• Perform miscellaneous related duties as assigned.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Proficiency in the use of software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Knowledge of medical terminology Outstanding organizational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to understand and implement support for clinical trials.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects, and effectively prioritize each.
• Outstanding verbal communication.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Must adhere to guidelines regarding honest reporting of sensitive and confidential patient information.
• Understands the importance/impact of data integrity in terms of patients, study results, costs, quality of service and scientific research in general.
• Regular contact with physicians, other health care personnel and occasionally, patients, requires the use of good judgment, tact and sensitivity.

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
• One year laboratory experience performing relevant techniques.
• Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Classified Title: Research Specialist
Job Posting Title (Working Title):Research Specialist
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MA
Starting Salary Range: $16.92 - $29.61 HRLY ($48,400 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 A.M - 5:00 P.M
Exempt Status:Non-Exempt
Location:School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM Uro Urology Research
Personnel area: School of Medicine