Research Assistant Proteomics Optimization Planning
Job Location:
North Chicago, IL - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Pay rate : $16 - $20 an hour depending on experience and qualifications
Position Summary
The Human Performance Laboratory and CLEAR at RFUMS is seeking a part-time Research Assistant to serve as the central planner for proteomics optimization and benchmarking on a Department of Defense-funded project to identify urinary proteomic biomarkers of bone adaptation and injury in military recruits. Under the supervision of Dr. Shawn Flanagan this position will translate the proposal-defined strategy into an executable experimental plan and coordinate the resources and documentation needed to begin the work.Planning coordination literature review and readiness are the core duties. Experimental participation is conditional and may be assigned depending on the project timeline training laboratory readiness and needs of the proteomics team. This is a temporary part time position 8-10 hours a week.
While this position is not eligible for our regular employee benefits all RFU employees are eligible to accrue personal leave in accordance with IL law. All RFU employees are also eligible to make unmatched contributions to voluntary supplemental pre-tax and post-tax retirement plans.
Who We Are
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) located in North Chicago Illinois is a graduate health sciences university comprising six schools and colleges. The Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) housed within the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine uses multidisciplinary approaches to improve lower-extremity health and function. CLEARs Human Performance Laboratory supports federally funded research in biomechanics injury prevention human performance neuroscience and physiology.
The awards optimization strategy integrates SP3 (or newer) sample preparation ion mobility-enhanced LC-MS/MS DDA and DIA acquisition spike-in controls process and technical replicates and cross-platform benchmarking. The RA will help convert these scientific requirements into a staged documented and operationally feasible workflow; routine laboratory execution remains supervised by the proteomics investigators and technician.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Work with the PI proteomics investigators technician and other study personnel to develop a staged experimental plan defining the questions comparison conditions controls standards process and technical replicates randomization and blinding quality criteria decision points responsibilities documentation and timeline.
- Review and summarize current and emerging peer-reviewed literature and authoritative technical guidance on urinary proteomics optimization and benchmarking.
- Develop a benchmarking matrix covering relevant sample-preparation conditions DDA/DIA acquisition FAIMS spike-in controls replicate design analysis software and measures of accuracy sensitivity specificity precision coverage and reproducibility.
- Identify required reagents standards consumables equipment access software data and storage resources SOPs and safety documentation.
- Prepare procurement and readiness lists gather specifications or quotes monitor lead times and orders and coordinate with the proteomics team to confirm readiness.
- Create and maintain workflow diagrams experiment matrices meeting notes decision logs SOP drafts checklists and progress trackers.
- Track planning decisions assumptions deviations and revisions so the final workflow and its scientific rationale are transparent and reproducible.
- Depending on timeline training and assignment assist with supervised optimization experiments quality-control documentation and review of results against predefined criteria.
Conditions of Employment
- Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.
- If experimental participation is assigned must complete required laboratory biospecimen-handling chemical-safety and equipment training before beginning work.
- Must be able to maintain a reliable part-time schedule and adjust planned work around project milestones procurement lead times and laboratory availability.
Required Education & Experience
Relevant education coursework training or experience in proteomics biochemistry analytical chemistry molecular biology biomedical science or a related field.
Experience reviewing scientific literature and converting technical requirements into organized plans procedures or project documentation.
Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities
- Strong experimental-planning project-organization and technical-writing skills.
- Ability to critically review peer-reviewed methods and benchmarking literature and summarize practical implications accurately.
- Ability to maintain detailed experiment matrices procurement trackers decision logs and versioned workflow documentation.
- Clear communication and the ability to coordinate tasks and follow-up items across a multidisciplinary proteomics team.
- Ability to identify uncertainties assumptions resource constraints and readiness risks and escalate them promptly.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with urinary proteomics SP3 preparation LC-MS/MS DDA/DIA FAIMS or quantitative proteomics workflows.
- Familiarity with technical and process replicates spike-in controls randomization blinding and predefined quality or acceptance criteria.
- Experience preparing laboratory procurement lists obtaining technical specifications or quotes and monitoring orders or lead times.
- Experience developing SOPs workflow diagrams structured checklists or formal experimental plans.
- Prior supervised laboratory or proteomics optimization experience is desirable but is not required for the planning assignment.
Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions
- The selected candidate must be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
- If assigned laboratory work duties may involve standing using standard laboratory equipment and safely handling samples reagents and cold-storage materials.
EOE Including Disability / Vets
Required Experience:
Junior IC
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