KCOM - Senior Research Associate

A.T. Still University's Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM) is seeking an exempt Senior Research Associate on the Kirksville, Missouri, campus. The position reports to the Microbiology/Immunology department chair. The Senior Research Associate supports the education and research missions of the department and its faculty, staff, and students. Along with dedicated and professional attention to our teaching mission, the primary metric for the “Senior” title for the Research Associate position is research productivity, i.e., publications, presentations, and grant applications.

Major Job Duties

1. Organize and support teaching labs for departmental courses; grade lab reports under supervision of course directors.
2. Facilitate other course educational exercises, e.g., clinical case presentations and on-line quizzes.
3. Train and serve as backup for all duties performed by the Research Technician.
4. Oversee maintenance of major departmental equipment; interact with contracted service providers.
5. Perform professional, technical, administrative, and managerial research work. Perform independent (with Chair’s approval) or supervised research activities that require advanced knowledge in microbiology or a related field, with consistent discretion and good judgment. Prepare proposals for funding agencies, present research results through presentations and peer-reviewed publications, operate research equipment, and supervise students and other lab personnel in research.

Job Responsibilities

1. Education: Support the department’s teaching mission as directed (facilitation of small group exercises and case presentations, manage teaching labs, grade labs and online case reports).
2. Oversight of the department research technician.
3. Maintenance of departmental major equipment.
4. Research:
   1. Design, plan, conduct and coordinate experiments in support of various research projects.
   2. Evaluate, select, and apply standard techniques of the research; keep detailed records of data.
   3. Use computers and laboratory or technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and technical evaluation of research experiments and results.
   4. Summarize results for inclusion in scientific and educational publications.
   5. Publish at least 2 refereed papers/3 years and 1 poster per year as senior author or co-author.
   6. Prepare and write proposals to funding agencies; maintain financial accounts related to research projects.
   7. Supervise medical, dental and/or graduate students and other laboratory staff involved in research.
   8. Establish, install, maintain, operate and/or repair research equipment.
   9. Maintain an accurate chemical inventory and MSDS sheets.

Skills/Requirements

• Masters degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related science, plus 1 year of additional research experience
• Knowledge of statistics, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics through college algebra
• Competent use of computer software including Word, Powerpoint, spreadsheets, Google Forms, Canvas, or other digital learning platforms
• Sterile technique
• Handling microorganisms, tissue cultures, and rodents
• Safety procedures in preparation of reagents and use of equipment
• Maintaining chemical inventories, proper storage and disposal of hazardous wastes
• Standard molecular biology skills
• Manuscript and poster preparation
• Grant writing
• Ability to do quality wet-lab research work both independently and under the direction of a PI
• Highly self-motivated
• Energetic
• Pays close attention to detail
• Responsible
• Organized
• Collegial
• Trust-worthy
• Respects confidentiality

ATSU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverages, among more. If eligible, employee-elected benefits would begin the first of the month following hire date. For more information, please visit: atsu.edu/employment/benefits .