Research Assistant I - Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory - Laboratory of Dr. Julie Law
Company: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Location: La Jolla
Posted on: April 19, 2024
Job Description:
DescriptionSUMMARY:
As a Research Assistant I, this position will be supporting the
laboratory of where they will focus on chromatin and gene
regulation. The Harnessing Plants Initiative's (HPI) CO2 Removal on
a Planetary Scale (CRoPS) program aims to leverage these processes
to develop crop plants that sequester more carbon via extensive
root systems containing recalcitrant carbon polymers to fight
climate change. A major component of this research is to conduct
genetic and genomic analysis for understanding traits relevant for
plant improvements.
The Research Assistant I will work closely with a Post Doctoral
fellow and other members of the HPI CRoPS program and the Law
laboratory to perform various molecular biology and microscopy
techniques in support of research projects aimed and understanding
gene regulation at the genetic and epigenetic levels. Incumbent
will work in a team responsible for (1) phenotyping Arabidopsis
thaliana lines of interest (2) screening, genotyping, and
maintaining plant lines (3) designing constructs to assess gene
function and expression and (4) staining and preparing plant
samples for various types of microscopy.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct molecular and biotechnology techniques, including:
- Genotype reporter and mutant lines.
- Under supervision, assist in designing novel constructs and
optimize cloning strategies.
- Assess the expression of reporter lines via staining, imaging,
and/or western blotting.
- Screen mutants and inducible plant lines for desired
traits.
- Record and analyze all data and observations in an appropriate
electronic lab notebook.
- Prepare technical reports, summaries, protocols, and
quantitative analyses, ensuring experiments are well
documented.
- Collaborate with and discuss results with the rest of the
research team.
- Lab Support
- Prepare solutions, reagents, and media plates.
- Grow and maintain plant lines.
- Organize plant lines & construct stocks.
- Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to
determine appropriate action.
- Normally receives general instruction on routine work, and
detailed instructions on new assignments.
- Work is performed under direct supervision.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by management.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- No professional experience required.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related
scientific discipline required. A minimum of 2 years of experience
in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelor's
degree in a different discipline.
- Other skills (preferred):
- Prior experience or internships in a laboratory
setting.
- Prior experience biological research, ideally with Arabidopsis
thaliana.
- Demonstrated experience and application of molecular biology
knowledge, specifically with plant development and molecular
genetics.
- Demonstrated experience with confocal microscopy.
- Demonstrated experience with plant roots.
- Demonstrated experience in sample preparation: staining,
embedding, slicing etc.
- Demonstrated experience with routine molecular biology skills:
primer design, PCR, qPCR, molecular cloning, DNA/RNA extractions,
bacterial transformation, and plasmid DNA extraction.
- Demonstrated experience in basic coding.
- Knowledge of relevant regulations and compliance standards.
SALK VALUES:
- Integrity - Guides our moral compass and underpins our every
action. We do what is right in all situations for no other reason
than because it is right. We uphold honesty and ethical behavior
and make good on our commitments. We understand that words and
deeds matter and that integrity leads to trust.
- Community - Enables us to harness the power of our collective
talents. We work together towards common goals. We recognize the
importance of diversity where everyone's ideas, identities,
backgrounds, and perspectives are valued and pave the paths that
propel us forward. We understand our pioneering role in the broader
scientific community and take pride in our efforts to have a
positive impact on the world.
- Accountability - Keeps us focused, and keeps us honest. We are
responsible not only for our own success, but the success of our
teams and the entire Institute. We consider how the actions we take
and the decisions we make in our own work may impact
others.
- Respect - Creates the foundation of trust and brings out the
best in us all. We value the experiences, identities, and feelings
of those we work with, regardless of their position or their
relationship to us. We provide feedback in a constructive manner,
use appropriate language, and allow others to share their thoughts
and ideas without fear of ridicule.
- Empowerment - Amplifies all voices and inspires the pursuit of
greatness. We lift each other up, enabling us to grow continuously
and live to our fullest potential. We support the expression of
ideas, encourage self-advocacy, inspire confidence and recognize
that an environment of mutual respect is critical to our collective
success.
COMPETENCIES:
- Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets
challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for
improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents
ideas and information in a manner that gets others'
attention.
- Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires
and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences
actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives
appropriate recognition to others.
- Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in
positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification;
Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills;
Participates in meetings.
- Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits
work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs;
Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret
written information.
The expected pay range for this position is $18.03 to $21.00 per
hour.
Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith
estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a
position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be
determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope
and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the
selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal
equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable
jobs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Continually required to stand
- Frequently required to walk
- Continually required to sit
- Continually required to utilize hand and finger
dexterity
- Frequently required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or
crawl
- Frequently required to talk or hear
- Occasionally exposure to wet and/or humid conditions
(non-weather)
- Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts
- Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic
chemicals
- While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the
work environment is usually quiet
- The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 50
pounds
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close
vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth
perception and ability to adjust focus
The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research
institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek
bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new
frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse
perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and
a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing
of humanity through groundbreaking research.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity
Employer and is committed to providing equal access to
opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment
and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to
encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and
prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.
Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination
in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified
applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived
race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress
and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship,
physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer
and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status,
age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or
related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender
expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status
(disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered
veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status
protected by state or federal law.
Keywords: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, National City , Research Assistant I - Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory - Laboratory of Dr. Julie Law, Professions , La Jolla, California
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