POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under moderate supervision, perform research work in medical and related technical. The scopes and key roles of the position are to order lab supplies and perform basic research work under the guidance of the PI and/or senior research staff in the lab, and maintain records of experiments. This position will work with mice and will assist with xenograft and orthotopic implant, tumor burden measurement and postmortem correlative studies on blood and tumor. This position will work in a highly translational laboratory which has established strategies for profiling immune cell sub-populations in mouse pancreatic cancer. The lab's research objective is to understand how pancreatic cancer is able to successfully adapt to the extremely harsh metabolic conditions that are present throughout the tumor microenvironment. This position works with animals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

1. Perform research work in biomedical and related technical areas involves use of lab skills. Research work includes tissue culture; cell growth and death assays; DNA, RNA, and protein-related assays. Follow detailed instructions and guidelines from the PI and/or senior research staff in the lab, or the established protocols in the lab for most experiments and techniques used for preclinical cancer research. (20%)
2. Collect and analyze samples and data. Will collect human and murine cells cultured in vitro and collect cancer and non-cancer tissues from mice; processing cell and tissue samples for protein- and DNA/RNA-related assays and immunohistochemical staining; isolating cells from mouse tissue samples. Will also assist PI and research staff in the lab to measure tumor burden by a caliper or by in vivo imaging systems. (20%) 
3. Record results for a particular experiment or closely related series of experiments. Document findings from tissue culture assays, cell growth and death assays, and DNA/RNA/protein analyses, including quantitative measurements, imaging outputs, and assay readouts. Record tumor burden measurements collected by calipers or in vivo imaging systems, along with observations from xenograft and orthotopic implant studies. (10%) 
4. Maintain records of experiments in shared drives. Provide details of how the experiment was performed to research team. Maintain detailed notes on sample processing, such as cell isolation from mouse tissues, immunohistochemical staining results, and molecular assay data. Ensure all results are entered into shared drives with clear descriptions of procedures, conditions, and outcomes to support reproducibility and collaborative interpretation (10%)
5. Order laboratory supplies including reagents, mice, supplies and materials for the lab following the instruction of PI and senior research staff. Principal Investigator and senior research staff will provide vendor name and category number for each order. (25%)
6. Maintain test equipment utilized in experiments. Maintain and calibrate lab equipment, such as pipettes, weighing scale, centrifuges, and water bath. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Present work at lab meetings and other events (5%)
2. Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Moderate administrative staff contact for ordering lab supplies and arranging equipment maintenance. Continuous contact with Principal Investigator on daily bases for supervision and instructions. Continuous contact with lab members for supervision and instructions.

University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information.

External: Limited or no contact with vendors to exchange information.

Students: Contact with student employees/volunteers to exchange information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in science and 0 to 1 year of experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required.

REQUIRED SKILLS 

1. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. 
2. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. 
3. Ability to operate laboratory equipment.
4. Must demonstrate compliance with CWRU animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
5. Must demonstrate compassion for animals within CWRU facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center's mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
6. Previous experience working with animals preferred.
7. Must be able and willing to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer gear to protect the health of the animals.
8. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest. 
9. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
10. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
11. Willingness to learn and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI).

WORKING CONDITIONS

General laboratory environment. May have exposure to hazards. Will work at the bench performing experiments. Will perform some experiments in the animal facilities, in the laminar flow hood. Involves traveling between different buildings in the University. Willing to adjust working hours according to the nature of ongoing experiments.

Case Western Reserve University's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals¿ appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service ¿Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to medical school Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.

Apply online at jobs.case.edu search for job posting 14368