Research Assistant II - Mouse Surgery and Cell Culture
The Jackson Laboratory
Summary
The Research Assistant II supports scientific research with minimal supervision, applying established laboratory methods and foundational scientific knowledge to carry out a variety of research activities. Responsibilities include assisting with project planning, contributing to experimental design, performing and refining research procedures, collecting and analyzing data, and supporting the preparation of reports and publications. The role also involves communicating research progress and helping train others as needed.
Job description
Key Responsibilities (What you contribute)
- Troubleshoots issues in research procedures, adjusts techniques or quality-control measures, and identifies when methods require refinement.
- Reviews and maintains research documentation, contributing to updates in methodology and collaborating with team members as needed.
- Manages laboratory resources, including inventory, equipment, and workspace coordination.
- Shares research knowledge by demonstrating procedures and assisting in training.
- Performs assigned research tasks using established experimental methods, equipment, data collection tools, and analytical techniques.
- Organizes, analyzes, and summarizes research data using scientific and statistical tools.
- Contributes to the preparation of manuscripts, reports, presentations, and grant materials.
- Conducts multiple experiments and maintains associated equipment, ensuring clear and timely communication of results.
- Demonstrates comprehensive mouse handling and husbandry skills to support research operations.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (You're good at)
- Comprehensive mouse handling and husbandry skills required
- Demonstrated ability in development of research protocols
- Demonstrated success in coordinating and/or conducting multiple, concurrent assignments or a multi-faceted project
- Ability to interact with all individuals in a productive, professional and positive manner to enhance the outcome of the goals of the research program
- Established understanding of good lab safety practices and a demonstrated history of lab safe conduct
- Self-motivated with the ability to organize time effectively, demonstrated ability to manage details
- Advanced computer skills, ability to develop technical documents and presentations
- Demonstrated team player with professional, positive attitude and willingness to be flexible
- Ability to work flexible shifts (evening/week-end/holiday)
- Regular, reliable and consistent attendance
Educational Requirements: Bachelor's required/ Bachelor's preferred
Experience Requirements: 2 years required; 4 years preferred
Supervisory: None
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required
- 2 years of relevant experience required
- Comprehensive mouse handling and husbandry skills required
- Demonstrated ability in development of research protocols
- Demonstrated success in coordinating and/or conducting multiple, concurrent assignments or a multi-faceted project
- Established understanding of good lab safety practices and a demonstrated history of lab safe conduct
- Advanced computer skills, ability to develop technical documents and presentations
- Ability to work flexible shifts (evening/week-end/holiday)
Company overview
The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution founded in 1929 in Bar Harbor, Maine. As a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, JAX specializes in discovering precise genomic solutions for disease and empowering the global biomedical community to improve human health. With nearly 3,000 employees across 11 locations worldwide, including facilities in Maine, Connecticut, California, Japan, and China, the organization operates with a substantial $628 million annual budget. JAX maintains a diverse research portfolio encompassing cancer, aging, Alzheimer's disease, addiction, computational biology, and rare diseases. The laboratory is renowned for providing over 13,000 strains of genetically specialized mice to more than 2,400 organizations in 68 countries, making it the world's leading source for mouse models. Additionally, JAX hosts the Mouse Genome Informatics database and offers comprehensive educational programs for scientists at all career stages, contributing to at least 26 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine through its research, resources, and educational initiatives.