Research Specialist

General Summary/Purpose:

This position would support Basic and Translational Pain Research within the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (ACCM). Within the Pain Research Group (Sivanesan Neuromodulation and Pharmacologic and Electrical Translational (PET) Pain Neuromodulation Research Labs). Applicants should have experienceworking with animals in research environment.Position assists with the technical aspects of laboratory studies and experiments including documentation and preparation of materials, performing physiological studies on animals, animal surgery related to developing models of peripheral neuropathic pain (including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy), cancer pain, and other conditions, behavioral assays, cell culture, administering agents and conducting molecular work designed to pain research.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Under the general supervision of a faculty investigator or laboratory supervisor, the research specialist will perform laboratory tasks and complete routine assays following common or established protocols and procedures.
• Candidate will be trained prior to work with supervision and guidance from the principal investigators of the group.
• Keep accurate, detailed laboratory records.
• Additional responsibilities, supervision or direction from the PI, will be to aid the principal investigator in the writing of progress reports; maintain and update procedures; protocols and approvals for work with laboratory material; prepare presentations and summaries of experiments; aid in the preparation of manuscripts and grant submissions.
• Troubleshooting of technical and experimental issues supervision or direction from the PI when appropriate.
• Exercises professional and scientific judgment and assumes responsibility for decisions, consequences, and results.
• Engages in regular and continuous decision making, under the supervision or direction from the PI, having an impact on the success of the laboratory.
• Techniques of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Basic animal surgery technique in rodents (e.g., xenograft implantation, nerve ligation, catheter implantation), behavioral pharmacology (drug delivery), animal behavioral testing techniques related to pain, addiction and anxiety, cell culture (mammalian), molecular and functional imaging, protein extraction/isolation, ELISA, western blot, real-time PCR, and immunocytochemistry.
• A basic understanding of theory behind the experiments is needed.
• Work requires applying basic analytical skills to implement assigned projects, and to identify and trouble-shoot situations needing special attention.
• Following approved experimental protocols, health records need to be maintained in accordance with AALAC guidelines.

• Uses various software applications, such as spreadsheets, relational databases, electronic mail, World Wide Web, statistical packages, and graphics packages to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and/or test reports. With the supervision or direction from the PI, work can involve use of image analysis software to analyze images of tissue sections
• Monitors inventory levels, orders materials and supplies in accordance with established policies and procedures. Interacts with vendors and obtains quotes. Helps maintain lab equipment. Keeps laboratory and surgical recovery areas clean and orderly.

Minimum Qualifications (mandatory):

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, chemistry, or related field
• One (1) year of 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***.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in working with experimental animal models.
• Master’s degree in biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, chemistry, or related field.
• 2-4 years of laboratory experience.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with mammalian tissue culture.
• Documented ability to work independently, but also collaboration with individuals from other research groups is required.

Any Specific Physical Requirements for the Job:

• No allergy to live animals (rodent).
• Sitting in normal seated position and standing for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a keyboard and move about.
• Ability to see and hear within normal parameters.

Budget Authority:

• NIH, foundation, institutional

***JHU Equivalency Formula: 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. 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.

Classified Title:Research Specialist
Working Title: Research Specialist ​​​​​
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MA
Starting Salary Range:$33,454-$46,095 (commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Varies
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: 04-MD:School of Medicine Campus
Department name: 10002731-SOM Ane Pain
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.

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