Pediatric Post Baccalaureate Research Intern

The Post Baccalaureate Research Intern will be gaining insightful, hands-on, in-depth knowledge, while making a huge impact in our communities. This person will be responsible for performing research related activities and assisting with laboratory maintenance within the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pancreatology and Nutrition. 

It is expected that as the research intern gains experience with laboratory techniques and procedures, they will take on increased autonomy and collaboration with other laboratory members. They will also gradually increase the level of their scientific duties by adding experimental design and data analysis as well as preparation of materials for abstracts, reports, grant applications, and manuscripts.

The research intern will also assist with administrative duties related to ordering lab supplies, maintenance and organization of protocols and documents.

Position Responsibilities

Research

• Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by principal investigator and other members of the research project.
• Read and review articles as directed and develop and maintain a working knowledge of the field and concepts pertaining to the project through familiarity with the scientific literature and attendance of internal and external meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences when appropriate.
• As individual skills develop, search, compile, and critically evaluate scientific literature.

Conduct Experiments, Investigations, Evaluations

• Read and understand protocols; as individual skills develop, troubleshoot and propose modifications to existing protocols or develop new protocols with other researchers or principal investigator.
• Plan and perform experimental procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.
• Animal handling
• Pancreas tissue processing
• Maintain cell culture.
• As individual skills develop, perform pharmacological agent and viral vector administration, tissue harvest and processing, and other non-surgical and surgical procedures.
• Carry out molecular biology techniques, including immunohistochemistry, DNA and RNA extraction, RT-PCR and real time RT-PCR, gel electrophoresis.
• Operate light microscopes and acquire microscopic imaging data, including confocal.

Collect, Analyze and Summarize Data; Prepare Reports; Contribute to Manuscripts, Publications

• Collect, record, organize, and as skills develop, analyze data.
• Develop familiarity with basic spreadsheets and statistical concepts and software.
• Prepare figures and methods, bibliographies, and abstracts for use in posters, manuscripts, and grant application.
• Present results at lab meetings and other Inta- and extra-mural meetings

Administrative and Project Management

• Assist with procurement of lab and animal supplies and materials.
• Ordering and setting up laboratory equipment
• Organize and maintain protocols and administrative documents.
• With minimal help from PI, arrange and plan daily, weekly, and monthly activities to prepare for and perform experiments.
• Track progress of research projects and regularly communicate with PI both verbally and through regular written updates.

Facilities and Equipment Management

• Develop and monitor quality control testing of equipment as necessary.
• Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.
• Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.

Supervision/Staffing

• May train, provide direction, assignments, and feedback to other employees.

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Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or related field biological science field or discipline

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 6 months to one year of prior research experience in biology, or a related field
• Experience with data entry and analysis
• Ability to work well both independently and in a team setting.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Highly Desired Qualifications

• Experience with cell cultures
• Experience with molecular biology lab techniques
• Experience in pancreatic models, in vitro and in vivo
• Experience with data analysis, statistics
• Experience with sterile techniques, primary cell culture, tissue harvest, sectioning, histology, and confocal and immunofluorescent microscopy

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of biological concepts
• Experience arranging and planning weekly to monthly activities to prepare for and perform experiments; efficiency, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.
• Experience preparing materials for use in posters, manuscripts, and grant applications.