Research Associate - WVU Cancer Institute

  • WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
  • Morgantown, West Virginia
  • Full Time
Research Associate - WVU Cancer Institute

26799

Description

The WVU Cancer Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Research Associate position.

About the Opportunity

Translational research laboratory in the WVU Department of Surgery is currently accepting applications for a Research Associate who will perform independent experiments and gather data to support projects at the direction of the lab PI, as well as serve as a technical resource and mentor to undergraduate, graduate and medical students in the lab. The laboratory studies pancreatic cancer with a focus on tumor microenvironment and tumor immunology. Of particular interests are new laboratory directions in interdisciplinary research focused on cancer immunotherapy/bacteriotherapy, encompassing microbiology, immunology, and cancer. Competitive applicants will have the demonstrated capacity to provide rigorous results, training and supervision with a high level of autonomy and independence.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

37.5-hour work week

13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)

24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)

18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)

WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits

401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.

Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Assist with the coordination of tasks for students and other staff within the lab setting. Will be responsible for providing training to new individuals on basic lab procedures, techniques, equipment, etc

Assist with the running of day to day operations within the laboratory.

Provide technical assistance, mentorship and general guidance to students in coordination with lab PI.

Train and supervise junior laboratory members

Provide oversight and troubleshooting for other laboratory members

Design, plan and conduct independent experiments; collect, record, and present data at the direction of the lab PI.

Integrate research findings into planning and design of future experiments

Gather preliminary data in support of PIs grant applications

Conduct in depth literature searches to stay abreast with the latest development in tumor immunology and pancreatic cancer research, identify novel techniques, research basic science questions and report relevant findings to students and PI as requested

Actively participate in weekly lab meetings, facilitating discussion between lab members and providing feedback to presentations

Collaborate with internal and external researchers, fostering a team-oriented and collaborative research environment

Present research findings, background information and future directions at lab meetings, regional, national and international conferences

Qualifications

PhD or MD in biological or health sciences

A minimum of three (3) years of experience in the following:

Demonstrated ability to perform basic molecular science assays including but not limited to western blot, ELISA, PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining, RNA sequencing, flow cytometry.

Independently performing experimental protocols involving culturing bacteria to perform genetic manipulation and assisting others in testing bacterial strains using in vitro and in vivo models.

All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Experience with sterile techniques, including tissue culture

Experience with gene cloning, and protein expression and purification

Experience with handling of research animals, primarily mice

Demonstrated peer reviewed publications in the field of cancer and/or cancer immunotherapy

Demonstrated ability to mentor trainees in laboratory environment

Demonstrated ability to move a research project forward with large amount of autonomy and independent

Highly motivated, hardworking and independent researcher that can function responsibly with large degree of autonomy

Ability to obtain rigorous and accurate scientific data with appropriate controls

Knowledge of laboratory environment, appropriate procedures and general laboratory protocol

Knowledge and adherence to laboratory safety protocols, ethical standards and regulatory requirements

Skilled in handling of research animals for procedures, including mouse models of cancer

Strong organizational and time management skills

Strong communication skills with ability to present scientific data

Ability to perform independent data analysis and basic statistical analysis

Ability to get along well with others in a collaborative group setting

Management and leadership skills providing capacity for training, supervision and mentorship of students

Adept and proficient in scientific writing of high quality manuscripts, grants and research proto

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.

Job Posting: Jun 4, 2025

Posting Classification: FE/AP

Exemption Status: Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Schedule: Full-time
Job ID: 480017870
Originally Posted on: 6/6/2025

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