Research Specialist, Department of Surgery

Position Summary:
This position will perform the duties of anexperienced technical specialist in the research laboratories in the Department of Surgery. This position primarily will involvepre-clinical research laboratory skills and duties including
-preparing animals for anesthesia and surgery performing the surgeries (orthotopic survival surgery xenograft tumor and organ harvest lung perfusion)
-monitoring their recovery acutely after surgery and required institutional recordkeeping
-The position also requires daily monitoring of animals after surgery
-delivery of experimental drugs tumor measurements and weekly animal and food weights
-preparing the animals for in vivo imaging and
-performing anatomical and biochemical analysis including cryostat sectioning double-florescent immunohistochemistry light and fluorescent microscopy Western blotting and data entry and analysis.

Position Goals are as follows:
-Demonstrate skills in surgical procedures from pre-operative OR preparation to post- op follow-up care of the animals
-Demonstrate skills in preparation and analysis of tumors and organs
-Demonstrates knowledge and familiarity with all local state & federal laws and regulations and all laboratory regulatory agency requirements.
-Demonstrate initiative and skills in lab organization including management of supplies ordering reagents and procuring animals

Core Responsibilities:
Responsibility 1 (30%): Demonstrate skills in surgical preparation procedures
Task 1: Prepare OR (sterilize instruments and prepare room) and prep animals for surgery; anesthetize animals. Monitor and adjust anesthesia during surgery.
Task 2: Recover animals after surgery; monitor animals daily post surgery.
Task 3: Administer experimental and clinical agents as detailed and instructed by protocol guidelines. Demonstrate ability and independence in post-operative care management Include a specific task that falls under this responsibility.
Task 4: Draw blood samples and perform blood tests using ELISA kits.

Responsibility 2 (30 %): General Lab operations and management.
Task 1: Order lab supplies and keep track of lab inventory.
Task 2: Maintain lab compliance records; keep IACUC records and represent the lab during inspections.
Task 3: Schedule and coordinate lab surgical activities and maintain lab surgical equipment.
Task 4: Demonstrate initiative and skills in lab organization including management of supplies ordering reagents procuring animals and maintain logs and inventory.
Task 5: Demonstrate organizational and problem-solving skills. Serve as a source of guidance and information to other lab staff students and residents.

Responsibility 3 (20 %): Research Assistance.
Task 1: Supports faculty researchers and other collaborators in planning research experiments submissions IACUC protocols grant writing etc.
Task 2: Liaisons with other departments outside collaborators and others as needed to ensure success of projects.
Task 3: Support and assist faculty and other research personnel with presentations journal submissions and other applicable reporting and publications

Responsibility 4 (20 %): Data management and collection.
Task 1: Data entry into Microsoft Excel and/or other research database systems per institutional and protocol-specific guidelines
Task 2: Practices routine verification of the accuracy of data
Task 3: Familiarity with excel graphpad adobe photoshop powerpoint and word programs.

Minimum Hiring Standard:
Prior experience with mouse models and associated institutional record keeping.
BSc required
Good oral and written communication skills
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect professionalism and civility with a population of faculty staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Prior experience in cancer biology normal development or cell biology

Preferred Qualifications:
Track record of productivity and independent thinking

Additional Information:
University Title:Research & Innovation Lab/Research Technician 1-3 (34051N 34052N 34053N)

ORP Eligibility: No

This position is open until filled.

Restricted Position:This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need availability of funding and performance.

Vaccination Health:Please note that if you are employed as a university employee working in any of the health systems facilities you will need to follow VCU Health System policies which will include but will not be limited to vaccination requirements.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCUs sponsored research the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. VCU School of Medicine comprises 18 clinical departments eight basic health science departments and 11 affiliated institutes and centers and provides preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of healthcare for humanity. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health vision and dental coverage life-insurance short and long-term disability coverage retirement planning tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs flexible spending accounts tuition benefits significant paid-time off12 paid holidays and more. Explore our benefits further here: School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Jewel Jefferson

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority