Research Assistant

About Drexel

Drexel is one of Philadelphia's top 10 private employers, a comprehensive global research university and a major engine for economic development in the region. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.

Job Summary

A successful candidate will join the Gaskill and Klase labs in the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine. Both Drs. Klase and Gaskill study different aspects of HIV pathogenesis, focusing on viral infection dynamics and transcriptional regulation and how these are impacted by different classes of substances of abuse. This research focuses on infection of myeloid cells, such as macrophages and microglia, and T-cells, and the individual hired for this position will be heavily involved in the isolation, culture, and differentiation of a variety of myeloid and T-cell systems. She or he isolate and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-infected and healthy individuals on a regular basis, then characterize these cells using flow cytometry. As this process involves work with human blood and/or HIV, successful candidates must be comfortable being trained to work in BSL-2+ / BSL-3 conditions. In addition to this process, successful candidates will also be responsible for the culture and maintenance of a variety of cell lines and for the differentiation and culture of iPSC-derived microglia and macrophages. In addition to these experimental responsibilities, there will be numerous opportunities to learn and assist in a variety of additional studies using techniques such as immunoblotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorecent microscopy, DNA/RNA isolation, qRT-PCR, AlphaLisa, and high-content image analysis. In addition to these experimental responsibilities, a central part of this position will be the administrative and logistical maintenance of the Gaskill and Klase labs. This individual will be responsible for ordering and shipping supplies, reagents, and samples, maintaining lab inventories and refilling reagents stocks, writing, and updating standard operating procedures, managing lab instruments and carrying out additional logistical and maintenance tasks as needed to keep lab operations running smoothly.

Essential Functions

• Maintain/administer sample/biospecimen/reagent and supply inventory for Gaskill and Klase Labs
• Isolate/characterize/culture PBMC from human blood
• Maintain equipment/lab space for Gaskill/Klase Labs
• Prepare solutions, reagents, and cultured cells for Gaskill/Klase lab experiments
• Assist Gaskill/Klase lab trainees with experiments

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with major in Biological Sciences or other science-related major
• Must be willing/able to work with live HIV and human blood
• Ability and willingness to expand experimental portfolio and learn new techniques
• Strong interpersonal communication and time management skills
• Experience using Microsoft Office or similar programs to create and edit protocols, inventories and data sheets, experience with lab management program such as Quartzy, statistical programs such as PRISM or SSPS and basic image analysis programs such as ImageJ, NIS-Elements
• Hands-on experience in cellular and molecular biology techniques including but not limited to, PBMC isolation, cell culture, flow cytometry, fluorescent microscopy, high-content imaging

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in molecular or cell biology lab

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking
• Lifting demands up to 25lbs

Location

Center City, Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Non-exempt with a salary grade of G. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised:Mar 10 2022 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Mar 19 2022 Eastern Daylight Time