Research Specialist

General Summary/Purpose

Technical support is needed for a small research group with a longstanding focus on the development of new treatments for tropical diseases. This includes the identification of new drug targets as well as the testing of newly synthesized compounds and drug combinations for activity against malaria parasites and trypanosomes. Under the general supervision of a faculty investigator the Research Specialist is responsible for performing established assays and participating in general maintenance of the laboratory, equipment and supplies. Standard techniques of molecular pharmacology, molecular biology, and biochemistry are utilized, as are more innovative approaches with, for example, RNAi, in vitro pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), and quantitative LC-MS/MS.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• MaintainPlasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei, and some mammalian cells in tissue culture; prepare stabilates
• Test new compoundsin vitroagainst cells
• Maintain, sterilize, assemble and runin vitrocartridge system for determining pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships
• Compile, process and record data; cross validate and prepare data for publication
• Order lab supplies through online SAP system, and reconcile orders with receipts
• General lab maintenance, including inventories, prepare stock solutions, autoclave supplies, fulfill radiation safety requirements, service maintenance for equipment and distilled water, ensure orderly disposal of biohazardous waste
• Maintain lab methods books and inventory of frozen cell lines
• Opportunity to learn and conduct quantitative UPLC/MS-MS assays of drugs in tissue culture medium and mammalian tissues

Essential Job Functions

• Meticulous technique in cell culture, sometimes repetitive and tedious, required. Must adhere to established methods unless modifications are specifically approved. Must be willing and able to handle radioisotopes. Must like and be good at basic math: able reliably to calculate molar solutions, and to utilize pre-designed spreadsheets to obtain pharmacokinetic parameters. Must be willing to attend and present at lab meetings.
  

Other Job functions

• Place lab supply orders through the Shopping Cart function in SAP/Hopkins 1. Reconcile invoices/receipts for lab supplies.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field. Additional education may substitute for some experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

* JHU Equivalency Formula:30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for the required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job. *

Requires a minimum of 1 year of previous experience in a lab required.Experience with cell culture, computer spread sheets, graphics, word processing required. Must be accurate and neat in work. Must be reliable and willing to learn new skills. Must be able to operate photocopier, scanner, and fax machine.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with pathogens preferred. Experience in handling animals and radioisotopes. Prefer but do not require, experience with basic methods of molecular biology and biochemistry, as well as with genome databases and genomic/proteomic software.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong verbal and written communication skills necessary as are excellent organizational skills. Familiarity with basic computer programs, i.e., Word, Excel.

Must have the interest and ability to tackle new, sometimes challenging, projects. Ability to maintain an orderly lab environment; cooperative nature that supports multiple lab users and new trainees.

Reports to: Elizabeth Nenortas, Senior Research Specialist

Licensure, certificate, registration: Online Hopkins training in biohazards, radiation safety

Physical Requirements

Sitting in a normal seated position or standing for extended periods of time. Working at a computer terminal for extended periods of time. Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Lifting and transferring incubator tray with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic apparatus between incubator and sterile cabinet. Finger dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm, for example, using a keyboard or pipetting solutions. Communication skills using the spoken word. Good reading, writing, and typing skills. Able to carry notebooks, supplies needed for experiments. Able to transport sterile supplies, notebooks on a wheeled cart between laboratories, equivalent to walking 1-2 blocks, sometimes several times per day. Ability to seewithin normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal ranges.

Classified Title:Research Specialist
Working Title: Research Specialist ​​​​​
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MA
Starting Salary Range:$33,545 - $46,095; Commensurate with experience
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm / 40 hours per week
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: 04-MD:School of Medicine Campus
Department name: 60005229-SOM DOM ClinPharm Shapiro Lab
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office atjhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf