Research Assistant, Pharmacology & Systems Physiology

Job Overview

An entry-level, full time Research Assistant position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Karthickeyan Chella Krishnan in the Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Dr. Chella Krishnan’s laboratory is focused on understanding how genetics and sex differences influence the mitochondrial (dys)function and increases the susceptibility to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The K lab uses a population-based ‘systems genetics’ approach to integrate information on natural genetic variations with molecular phenotypes (such as gene expression, proteomics, etc.) and clinical phenotypes, to understand the effects of genetics and sex differences on obesity, heart failure, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The successful applicant will assist in the designing, performing, and analyzing of studies that investigate the effects of genetics, diet and sex on cardio-metabolic diseases as well as be responsible for general lab maintenance and the maintenance of the mouse colony, including a transgenic mouse breeding colony.

Essential Functions

• Performs common molecular and cell biology approaches including mammalian cell tissue culture, DNA, RNA, and protein isolation, western blotting, immunocytochemistry, bacterial transformation, plasmid DNA preparation, PCR, cell transfection, DNA subcloning, and manipulation.
• Performs mitochondrial isolation and extracellular flux analysis of bioenergetic function.
• Manage mouse colony (breeding, weaning, genotyping).
• Assist in the design and execution of animal studies (including mouse dissection and tissue collection).
• Perform general lab maintenance duties including, but not limited to, meticulous preparation of reagents, managing protocols, ordering of supplies and tracking of inventory.
• Perform experiments and records data according to research protocols.
• Interpret data and assist in judging validity of data.
• May perform statistical and graphical analysis of data.
• May perform surgical procedures in mice.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Five (5) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• One year of work experience.
• Excellent work ethic, strong communication skills, honesty, and ability to work well with minimum supervision or as a part of a group.
• Experience in molecular biology, cell biology, and tissue culture techniques.
• Experience in working with mice in research.
• Experience using basic laboratory equipment (centrifuges, CO₂ incubators, spectrophotometer, PCR machines, pH meter, balances, plate reader, light microscopes, and gel documentation).
• Familiar with both PC and Apple computer systems and software programs (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Physical Requirements/Work Environment