Job ID 12386 Location Case Main Campus Full/Part Time Full-Time Regular/Temporary Regular Job Description POSITION OBJECTIVE Working under limited supervision, the Research Assistant 3 will coordinate research work studying the misfolded protein seeds of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and prion diseases. The position will coordinate and perform research work and support fellow lab members by performing real-time quaking induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assays, protein purification, and conduct general lab and equipment maintenance. The position will support tissue culture, animal, and electron microscopy work in the lab. The research assistant will also collect, verify, record, and compile data and information related to the ongoing research carried out in the lab in addition to participating in biospecimen pickup and cataloguing to support ongoing study efforts. The research assistant will manage laboratory inventory and supplies. This position works with animals. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Coordinate laboratory/ research activities. Participate in major laboratory/research activities as well as other laboratory tasks including equipment set-up and maintenance, sample, and reagent inventory. Coordinate research activities will be related to ultrasensitive assays for diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies, and prion disease. This includes protein purification, assay implementation and development, and data analyses. Configure and operate laboratory instruments. Ensure instruments used for RT-QuIC reagent generation and analysis are kept in good working order. Perform routine lab maintenance including cleaning equipment and lab ware; dispose of biohazardous waste. (50%) Devise new protocols and techniques for research projects involving a high degree of skill and training. Perform analyses with quantitative analytical data generated from RT-QuIC and related assays. This includes use of software to analyze kinetic and quantitative information of assay readouts. Keep diligent lab notes and records of results for all experiments. Evaluate adequacy of techniques; study and test new procedures and analyzes data. (15%) May supervise students and technicians. May assist with training of incoming personnel. Will work as part of a group core staff with rotating responsibilities related to lab management and upkeep and operational logistics (10%) May monitor the laboratory budget, in coordination with principal investigator, other core staff in the lab and departmental administrators. Order reagents and laboratory supplies. Maintain stock reagents, supplies and inventory used for RT-QuIC, electron microscopy, tissue culture and animal experiments. Oversee and track orders and inventory. Maintain stocks and solutions. (10%) NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Work closely with the principal investigator. Provide weekly updates on laboratory operations and research efforts. (5%) Carry out complex research assignments of a non-routine nature. Assist in developing procedures, protocols, and techniques in the continued development of assays for detection of neurodegenerative disease-associated protein seeds. Secondary research activities include support of cellular and animal models used in the lab and electron microscopy work as needed. (5%) May co-author research projects. Coordinate with other members of the lab in preparing primary research articles. (5%) Perform other duties as assigned. ( CONTACTS Department: Daily contact with supervisor to discuss research and maintain workflow. University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information. External: Regular contact with vendors to exchange information. Students: Frequent contact with students, trainees and