New

Research Assistant

Johns Hopkins University
United States, Maryland, Baltimore
May 16, 2025
The Shrestha lab in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering (EHE) at Johns Hopkins University is seeking a *Research Assistant* to join our team. The research assistant will get an opportunity to work on both experimental and computational research at the interface of environmental microbiology, metabolic engineering, and bioprocess engineering. They will contribute to several ongoing projects, including the production of biochemicals and bioplastics from dairy and agricultural waste, studying the bacterial response to stress conditions, and metabolic engineering of non-model organisms to improve biosynthesis of target metabolites. More information about Dr. Shrestha's lab can be found on the lab website and the department faculty page. Specific Duties & Responsibilities Assist in the design and execution of on-going microbiology and bioreactor experiments. Perform standard microbiological techniques, including but not limited to media preparation, isolation, culturing, nucleic acid extractions, gel electrophoresis, and PCR. Perform routine laboratory maintenance and organization, including ordering lab supplies and ensuring compliance with safety protocols Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment as needed. Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data, and present results in both written and oral formats. Contribute to the preparation of research reports, presentations, grant proposals, and publications. Train and supervise undergraduate students in laboratory techniques and protocols Collaborate with other research team members and integrate daily activities with the ongoing projects. Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Proficiency with R, Matlab, Python, or other programming languages is a plus. Strong scientific writing and communication skills. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or a related field. Some related experience. Preferred Qualifications Candidates with a background or previous research experience in molecular biology, anaerobic microbiology, microbial community analysis, synthetic biology, and/or bioinformatics are encouraged to apply. Experience with analytical methods such as GC-FID, GC-MS, and HPLC. Classified Title: Research Assistant Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/03/CD Starting Salary Range: $17.20 - $30.30 HRLY (Commensurate w/exp.) Employee group: Full Time Schedule: 37.5 hrs/wk, M-F FLSA Status:Non-Exempt Location:Homewood Campus Department name: Dept of Environmental Health and Eng Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering Total Rewards The referenced base salary range represents the low and high end of Johns Hopkins University's salary range for this position. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. Exact salary will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, market conditions, education/training and other qualifications. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/. Education and Experience Equivalency Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines: JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job. Applicants Completing Studies Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date. Background Checks The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function. Diversity and Inclusion The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion. Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. EEOis the Law https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf Accommodation Information If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit https://accessibility.jhu.edu/. Vaccine Requirements Johns Hopkins University strongly encourages, but no longer requires, at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. We still require all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry.This change does not apply to the School of Medicine (SOM). SOM hires must be fully vaccinated with an FDA COVID-19 vaccination and provide proof of vaccination status. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/. The following additional provisions may apply, depending upon campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly. The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.