Research Associate II - Heung Lab - Lung Institute at CEDARS-SINAI

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?

Cedars-Sinai offers scientists unparalleled access to ground breaking technologies, facilities, and resources for conducting research related to an impressive range of diseases and disorders, from cancer, cardiology, and digestive diseases, to genetics, genomics, neurosciences, and women's health. You can continue your career journey with us!

Principal Investigator, Lena Heung, MD, PhD is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate II to join her research team in the Women's Guild Lung Institute!

The Heung Laboratory studies the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the immune system regulates host responses to respiratory fungal pathogens. Currently, the lab is investigating the role of inflammatory monocytes and DAP12-mediated signaling pathways in the pulmonary immune response to Cryptococcus species, environmental fungi that cause lung and central nervous system infections in immuno-compromised and immuno-competent patients.

Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate II performs routine and increasingly complex laboratory tasks and procedures and develops technical expertise in one or more areas relevant to research projects. The incumbent will participate in research activities involving all aspects of the research process, to include, but not limited to; investigation, technical, testing/validation of results, and report findings. The Associate will perform a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of laboratory research projects. The Associate will observe and follow safety standards and procedures, assist in preparation of data for publication and/or presentation at scholarly meetings, and assist in general laboratory maintenance. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results and assists in identifying and troubleshooting of unexpected results.
• Orders laboratory supplies and supports laboratory operations.
• Maintains lab equipment and related records and may coordinate use of lab equipment.
• Assists in the operation of specialized equipment, as required by the area of research.
• Orients research laboratory assistants or lower-level research associates and undergraduate student researchers on day-to-day lab operations and routine procedures.

Department-Specific Responsibilities:

• Organizes and maintains mouse lines.
• Performs animal work including infections, injections, and tissue harvest as well as breeding, weaning, and genotyping of transgenic and knockout animals.
• Other duties may include: Tissue culture, preparation of microbial cultures, ELISA, Western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, flow cytometry, immunohistochemical and quantitative analysis of tissue samples, organization and maintenance of samples and other laboratory stock material.
• Assists other researchers as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a Science related field, required.

Experience:

• One year of research laboratory experience is required.
• Prior experience handling and breeding mice is preferred.
• Knowledge of routine laboratory procedures, experimental protocols, and overall lab organization.
• Ability to work independently and to simultaneously manage multiple tasks with attention to details.
• Must possess digital literacy in Excel and Word.

Physical Demands: 

Able to work with rodents, perform procedures/benchwork, and use specialized equipment and computers for extended periods of time. Able to perform moderate lifting. Able to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time. Able to exercise physical ability and perspective acuity to satisfactorily perform essential job functions. Duties will require walking throughout the Medical Center.