Research Associate I

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee, the Research Associate I provides operational support to the laboratory. The Research Associate I will perform research experiments as defined by the PI.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Perform laboratory experiments and may be responsible for a single research project
• Utilize all software relevant to experiment and equipment used
• Interpret data, form conclusions and decide on next steps under the direction of the PI or designee
• Maintain accurate records, may modify protocols with the approval of the PI or designee
• Review literature, publications and grants relevant to assigned projects
• Record results according to established lab, sponsor & university protocol
• Assist with performing data analysis and/or mathematical computations
• Maintain a detailed lab notebook according to lab practice
• Present findings at lab/group meetings
• Monitor laboratory supply levels and order as noted
• Prepare and label buffers, media, solutions, etc.
• Assist with and comply with all safety regulation and infection control standards
• Train on IACUC, IRB, EHS, Radiation safety protocols
• Comply with all applicable state, federal university, and sponsor policies and agreements
• Provide support with identifying problems and challenges, propose resolutions, implement appropriate solutions
• Provide support with drafting standard operation procedures in compliance to EHS regulation specific for the lab
• Perform other duties as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Biological or Natural Science, or equivalent experience
• Basic understanding of lab safety and protocols
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Ability to analyze data in a quantitative and objective manner.
• Ability to work in a team environment

A position is open for a full-time research associate at the UMass Chan Medical center in the laboratory led by Dr. Anil Chandraker. The Chandraker Lab is focused on developing novel regulatory cell therapy products for clinical applications in kidney transplantation. The lab previously developed and characterized an autologous alloantigen specific preclinical regulatory cell therapy product from kidney transplant recipients. The laboratory now seeks to broaden the ex vivo expansion process to develop regulatory cell therapeutics that can extend to other solid organ transplantation and autoimmunity. The other areas of research interest include understanding the immunoregulatory mechanisms, antigen specificity, biomarker development associated with this novel cell therapy product.

To do this exciting work, we are seeking a highly motivated and inquisitive research associate to join the team, to define regulatory cell therapeutics and their mode of action using single cell approaches. This role offers an exciting opportunity to dive into translational research and explore innovative approaches in solid organ transplantation. The research associate will be asked to learn new technologies, to test new approaches, design independent experiments, address technical problems, present results to the group, design follow-up experiments, consult the scientific literature, and maintain well-documented lab records. As an integral part of our team, the research associate will work alongside other lab members to support ongoing research projects.