Job Description

Job Description Summary:
The Research Assistant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, will support Dr. Irina Tikhanovich in the lab research program investigating the mechanisms of liver disease. This position involves a range of technical duties, including conducting biochemical and other laboratory tests and experiments to gather data for research purposes. Responsibilities include performing experiments, analyzing, documenting, and drawing preliminary conclusions from experimental results. The research assistant collaborates with the principal investigator to design and perform experiments with supervision to accommodate specific equipment needs, perform data analyses and reporting.
Job Description:
Job Duties Outlined

Assist with biochemical and other research laboratory tests, experiments, and determinations to support ongoing research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator and senior laboratory staff.

Assist in the collection, organization, and documentation of experimental results for review and interpretation by senior research personnel.

Confer with the Principal Investigator and/or senior laboratory staff to receive work assignments and guidance on experimental procedures.

Assist with reviewing scientific literature, including journals, abstracts, and laboratory manuals, to support ongoing research projects.

Perform routine and standardized laboratory procedures and support daily laboratory operations, including inventory management, supply ordering, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance.

Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory notebooks in accordance with institutional and funding agency guidelines.

Maintain laboratory supplies, reagents, and chemicals required for daily research activities.

Assist with specimen processing, biobanking, and shipment coordination following established protocols.

Participate in collaborative laboratory activities with other research laboratories at KUMC as assigned.

Perform routine laboratory techniques under supervision, including PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, primary cell isolation, and general tissue culture, following established protocols.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

Work Experience:

Four years of relevant experience. Relevant education may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. 

One year of laboratory experience, which may include relevant coursework, academic training, or research lab exposure.

Preferred Qualifications

Work Experience

Three years of direct laboratory experience in basic cell and molecular biology methods such as DNA/RNA manipulation, PCR, qPCR, ELISA, immunodetection (IHC/IF/western blotting), immunoprecipitation, microscopy, and CRISPRs/siRNA/shRNA.

Experience working with rodents.