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Research Assistant II - Yuan Lab

Work type: Staff Full-Time

Categories: Biology/Life Science, Grant or Research Administration

Department: 37046030 - SR-CISSM-YUAN LAB

Classification Title:

Research Assistant II

Classification Minimum Requirements:

A bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of experience; a masters degree and two or more years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Description:

Dr. Jason Yuan’s laboratory seeks a skilled and motivated Research Assistant II to join our translational research team specializing in cardiovascular pathophysiology and vascular cell biology. Our research focuses on the pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary vascular disease. The candidate's role involves diverse tasks crucial to supporting the lab's impactful research, encompassing multidimensional experiments and assays. The ideal candidate will demonstrate autonomy within the research team, utilizing extensive experience and sound judgment to strategize and achieve predefined objectives within research projects. Creativity and latitude are expected, along with a comprehensive understanding of our research topics, laboratory concepts, practices, and procedures. The incumbent must have skills to conduct molecular biological experiments (i.e., Western blot and RT-PCR), immunocytochemistry, lung vascular cell isolation and preparation for in vitro experiments (e.g., changes of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration with digital imaging fluorescence microscopy and ion channel functions using patch clamp techniques). Additionally, the candidate's role involves troubleshooting technical issues, analyzing data, and contributing to the efficient functioning of the lab to facilitate high-quality scientific outcomes.

+ Conduct cellular and molecular biological experiments encompassing Western blot, PCR/qPCR, immunocytochemistry.

+ Perform digital imaging fluorescence microscopy experiments in isolated vascular cells from experimental animals (mice) and surgically moved human lung tissues and cells transfected with specific ion channel genes, including assessing the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, intracellular second messengers, cell migration/proliferation/apoptosis, cell senescence and inflammasome activation.

+ Coordinate with other investigators for lab research, including maintaining the function of lab equipment, managing the lab research record (including methodological approaches and animal protocols), and maintaining the transgenic mouse colony.

+ Data acquisition and analysis, grant and manuscript preparation, and presentation of findings at weekly lab meetings.

+ Provide hands-on mentorship and training for visiting scholars, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and high-school research students, guiding them through the design and implementation of molecular biological experiments.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with experience.

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of experience; a masters degree and two or more years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

+ Theoretical and working knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, including WB, PCR/pPCR, and immunocytochemistry and cell preparation/culturing.

+ Demonstrated ability to conduct fluorescent imaging and cell physiological experiments, including assessing the intracellular Ca2+ and second messenger concentration, cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence.

+ Aseptic techniques for cell culture.

+ Demonstrated skill in working with animals and human tissues.

+ Demonstrated experience managing mouse colony maintenance.

+ Demonstrated ability to contribute to experimental design, analysis, interpretation of the results, and troubleshooting.

+ Demonstrated experience assisting with writing scientific manuscripts and contributing to teamwork in physiological and molecular biological experiments.

+ Demonstrated effective time management skills to plan and organize work assignments in an efficient and productive manner.

+ Demonstrated knowledge of the following specialized programs: SnapGene, GraphPad, EndNote, SigmaPlot, and MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint.

+ Enthusiasm for learning and a genuine interest in scientific research. Willingness and ability to learn new skills, research methods, and scientific principles.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Please provide names and email addresses of three to five references as part of the application process. When ready, the hiring department will contact the listed references via email requesting their reference letters to be uploaded directly to the application website.

This position is open to current UF employees only.

This is a time-limited position.

Health Assessment Required:Yes.

Advertised: 30 May 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 06 Jun 2025 Eastern Daylight Time