Research Assistant, Laboratory

The  Translational Microbiome & Immune Tolerance Laboratory  at the University of Maryland School of Medicine,  Center for Advanced Microbiome Research and Innovation (CAMRI)  within the  Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS)  is recruiting a Contractual Laboratory Research Assistant to join our interdisciplinary team studying the gut microbiome’s role in immune tolerance development. Our lab integrates multi-omics microbiome analyses, microbial genetics, experimental models, and clinical cohorts to investigate mechanisms by which early-life gut microbial metabolism shapes host immunity.
THIS IS A FULL-TIME, CONTRACTUAL POSITION.
BENEFITS: CONTINGENT CATEGORY II
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs; limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).
UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.  All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Responsibilities
- Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities such as general housekeeping, wipe tests, ELISA assays, preparing solutions, media, stains, and buffers; cultures and specimens; autoradiograms and photomicrographs, executing biochemical procedures such as electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, and DNA extractions, etc.

- May perform advanced laboratory research activities such as animal surgery, microscopy techniques, imaging techniques, recombinant DNA techniques, protein purification, and hybridizations, etc.

- May participate in the design of research studies.

- Compile and may analyze research data using various relevant computer software applications.

- Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations, and computer graphics for publication.

- Perform administrative duties such as training and guiding students and/or other laboratory technicians; assisting in developing policies, procedures, and/or methods for laboratory experimentation; and ordering supplies.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or field of study related to the research of the laboratory.
OTHER: May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance, shipping of hazardous materials, and/or ionizing radiation.
PREFERRD EXPERIENCE: Experience with statistical modeling using linear mixed-effects models for longitudinal or repeated-measures biological data; proficiency in shotgun metagenomic data analysis including quality control, taxonomic classification, functional annotation, and diversity analyses; and expertise in bulk RNA-seq data processing and differential expression analysis pipelines preferred.
Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.