50% Asst Research Scientist/Engin

The Department of Otolaryngology is seeking a Research Assistant to conduct highly technical and specialized scientific research focused on genetic deafness (autosomal recessive and dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss), exploring phenotype-genotype relationships, novel gene discovery, gene therapy, and the contribution of genetics to age-related hearing loss. This individual will evaluate genetic data to determine genotype-phenotype correlations and develop methodology to identify novel disease-causing loci. Additionally, they will independently secure funding, conduct research experiments, analyze data, and disseminate findings through publications and presentations.

Percent Time: 50%

Duties to include:

Experiments, Simulations, Modeling or Theoretical Investigations:

• Interrogate genetic regions of interest related to autosomal recessive and dominant non-syndromic hearing loss through methods such as in vivo and molecular experiments, including cell culture, immunohistochemistry, and viral vector injections in rodent models.
• Collect and evaluate data integrity and relevance to research questions.
• Evaluate data to establish relevance to the problem or problems being evaluated.
• Define outstanding research problems and contribute to protocol development
• Work independently on research tasks with oversight by Principal Investigator (PI).
• Contribute to documentation of equipment and procedures.
• Develop new protocols for research and obtain support for new and/or continuing research activities.

Data/Research Analysis and Evaluation:

• Analyze data for relevance and data integrity.
• Perform basic data analysis techniques.
• Compare results of scientific investigations to previously published work.

Dissemination of Research Results:

• Prepare research results for publication in reports, papers, journals, books and other media.
• Prepare seminars, discussions and lectures for dissemination of knowledge and results of research.
• Represent the entire research group at professional meetings.

Research Proposals/Grants:

• Maintain liaison with sponsoring agencies and organizations as well as with other research and educational institutions.
• Manage all or part of a research project including staff selection, assignment and scheduling, monitoring of project funds, coordination of data generation and analysis and identification, acquisition and use of equipment and facilities.
• Participate in determining research priorities and planning programs of research.

Service:

• Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public.
• Demonstrate respect for all members of the University community in the course of performing ones duties and in response to administrators, supervisors, coworkers and customers.
• Welcome the richness of talent from a diverse workforce and recognizes that diversity brings stimulation, challenge and energy that contribute to the productive and effective workplace.
• Represent the interests of the University and of unit leadership in the use of resources to meet service and productivity demands within unit goals and budgets; strives to promote continual processes and quality improvement.
• Seek opportunities to enhance ones own professional knowledge, skills and abilities as they relate to ones current position and/or to prepare for potential future roles and overall career development.
• Train investigators and support staff and conduct continuing education.

Human Resources/Supervision:

• Mentor graduate students, medical residents on research rotations and research assistants working in the lab or collaborating from other labs.
• Provide functional and/or administrative supervision for staff.
• Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines when necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• Academic knowledge of a discipline generally associated with a Doctoral degree in molecular biology, genetics or an equivalent professional degree, i.e. MD, DDS or DVM. In addition, the person will have demonstrated the ability to plan and execute a research study through some progressively independent research work.
• Minimum of 3 years of post-doctoral relevant laboratory experience in hearing genetics or related field is required.
• Strong working knowledge of in vivo experimental procedures in rodent (mouse): such as bacteria and cell culture.
• Strong working knowledge of hearing testing in rodent, such as: Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), noise overexposure.
• Strong working knowledge of mouse inner ear surgery, relative to viral vector injection
• Strong working knowledge of the middle and inner ear anatomy and proficiency in harvesting, dissecting and preparing cochlear samples.
• Strong working knowledge of cochlear morphology and sample preparation for various microscopy technics: such as Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM), confocal and light imaging.
• Strong working knowledge of molecular evaluation technics such as: PCR, RTqPCR, western blotting, Co-IP, immunofluorescence and of the associated equipment.
• Experience genetic analysis technologies and analytical strategies.
• Effective interpersonal skills required as well as written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Proficient computer skills including Graph pad Prism, Adobe illustrator, Photoshop, ImageJ as well as working knowledge statistical analysis.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Strong working knowledge of plasmid construction.
• Knowledge of University of Iowa Policies and Procedures.
• Supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Position and Application details:

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a Relevant File to the submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

For additional questions, please contact ... .

• Classification Title: Asst Research Scientist/Engin
• Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
• Schedule: Full-time
• Work Modality Options: On Campus

• Pay Level: 5A

• Organization: Healthcare
• Contact Name: Ashley Rayer
• Contact Email: ...