Posted
May 24, 2024
Date: May 2024
Title: Senior Research Associate (Laboratory Research)
Department: Biomedical Engineering
School: Engineering
Location: Wickenden Building
Supervisor Name and Title: Andrew Shoffstall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Shoffstall lab focuses on two primary areas of research: 1) biomedical materials design and testing (including injectable and resorbable electrodes, novel material coatings and substrates, and tissue response), and 2) neural engineering and modulation (including neural anatomy, imaging, and targeted drug delivery for therapeutic applications). The Senior Research Associate will oversee research projects within the lab in both of these programmatic areas, providing scientific oversight, guidance to lab members, and lab management in the absence of the principal investigator. The Senior Research Associate will design and plan projects, oversee collaborations, supervise staff and students, manage animal models, conduct animal surgery, and fully execute research projects, with the aim of gathering pre-clinical data which will inform the transition from basic to applied clinical projects. The Senior Research Associate will keep the PI informed of progress of research projects and provide recommendations on experimental design and project plans. The Senior Research Associate will also present data and findings at lab and scientific meetings, seminars, prepare manuscripts, contribute preliminary data for grant proposals, as well as write grant proposals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- With the principal investigator, establish goals and objectives for the efficient and timely completion of projects. Provide scientific oversight of all research projects, including data collection and maintenance. Meet regularly with the principal investigator to review and set priorities, staff/student-related issues, and future research staff and planning. Establish and manage the day-to-day priorities of the research staff. (20%)
- Coordinate experiments performed by other lab members, ensuring adequate resources, assisting with experimental design and analysis. Oversee progress of the research projects and provide regular progress reports to the PI; and provide input and recommendation to principal investigator regarding significant developments in research projects. Ensure the PI is informed about the results of lab members, and ensure the PI’s experimental strategy is explored by lab members and through independent experiments by the Senior Research Associate. (20%)
- Independently and with the principal investigator, design, plan, and execute research projects, including in vivo animal studies, data collection and analysis, tissue collection, and sample preparation. Maintain accurate records of data and provide findings and recommendations to the PI based on analysis. (20%)
- Develop new techniques and surgical approaches to advance research projects within the lab. Train lab members on new techniques. (10%)
- Mentor and train lab staff and graduate students; oversee research work and ensure projects are completed according to the research plan. This will involve teaching other members of the lab techniques and scientific discovery methods, including students and post-docs. Assist and teach both established and new research techniques to other lab members to facilitate their experiments. Coordinate trainings for lab members with the EHS and others, as needed. (10%)
- Present data and findings at laboratory meetings and scientific meetings, seminars, etc. Prepare manuscripts, contribute preliminary data for grant proposals, contribute to writing grant proposals. (10%)
- Independently author research projects. Assemble data and make publication-quality figures from analyzed data. With the highest level of integrity and responsible conduct of research, participate in writing manuscripts as a first author and co-author for discoveries from research performed in the lab, together with the PI and other lab members. (5%)
- Supervise research assistants and technicians. Supervise the research and technical work performed by other lab members, ensuring proper lab procedures are followed, and their safety, and ensuring adequate resources are provided for lab work. (5%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Perform other duties as assigned.
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with PI and lab members, work with other faculty for collaboration of research projects, contact with administrative staff as needed.
University: Regular contact with other labs for collaboration, regular contact with the Animal Resource Center, regular contact with other departments as needed
External: Occasional contact with supply vendors, other institutions, funding agencies, etc. as needed.
Students: Daily contact with undergraduate and graduate student employees working in the lab.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Supervise laboratory staff including research assistants and technicians. May supervise Research Associates within the lab. Oversee all lab members including postdoctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Minimum of 8 years of related postdoctoral experience required. Experience in preferred field(s) of study preferred.
Education/Licensing: PhD or MD in Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, or Surgery.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES
- Rodent and large animal (rabbit, swine) surgical skills, including laparoscopic, electrode insertion and microsurgical techniques; experience in and comfort with both acute and chronic animal experiments, as well as long term post-surgical animal care.
- Detailed knowledge of neuroanatomy, neurology, and neurosurgery.
- Excellent analytical skills; ability to formulate findings and recommendations from the analysis.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills; must demonstrate the ability to effectively and professionally communicate and work with various individuals within and external to the University.
- Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through. Must be able to work under pressure and conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timeline.
- Effective leadership skills; ability to lead, train, work with, and elicit cooperation from team members and staff.
- Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable, and a self-starter.
- Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate innovation and creativity, sound judgment, and good decision-making.
- Good computer skills, including database management. Ability to learn new programs as needed.
- Must demonstrate compliance with CWRU animal research and care (ARC) policies and procedures and compliance to regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
- Must demonstrate compassion for animals within CWRU facilities and dedication to the Animal Resource Center’s mission. Must handle animals with care and respect at all times.
- Must be able and willing to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness and utilize protective gear to protect the health the animals.
APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit a CV to Dr. Andrew Shoffstall at andrew.shoffstall@case.edu
WORKING CONDITIONS
General laboratory and cubicle/office environment. May have exposure to hazards, including hazardous chemicals. Occasional on campus travel between laboratories/schools, and extended hours when on deadline for grant submissions. Occasional travel to present data at local or national conferences. This position is not eligible for the staff hybrid work program. This position will work with animals.
Case's animal facilities are accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) and is managed according to the "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” appropriate Federal Animal Welfare Regulations, and the Public Health Service “Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals." This position, and all animal research personnel, are subject to internal compliance to SOM Animal Resource Center Standard Operating Procedures and to compliance regulations of the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy, AAALAC guidelines, the State of Ohio Veterinary Practice Act, Federal Drug Enforcement Administration regulatory guidelines, US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine regulations and other applicable regulatory guidelines.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.