Research Assistant I - Genomics and Molecular Biology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX
Job posting number: #7198784 (Ref:17973-en_US)
Posted: December 6, 2023
Job Description
Summary
The Research Assistant will have an opportunity to help build a lab from the ground up, determining not just the physical items (equipment and reagents) in the lab, but also the lab’s culture. This role would be ideal for someone who likes to wear many hats.
The Erwin Lab investigates the functional role of repetitive DNA with a focus on translating these discoveries into new diagnostics and therapies for human health. Our research vision is based on two discoveries. First, we developed a new class of synthetic transcriptional regulators that target repetitive DNA sequences with high affinity and specificity (Erwin et al, Science 2017). The resulting patents were licensed by a startup company who initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial for patients with Friedreich’s ataxia earlier this year. Second, we uncovered that recurrent repeat expansions represent an overlooked source of genetic variation in cancer (Erwin et al, Nature, 2023). The Erwin Lab is building on these discoveries with the development and application of tools in genomics, molecular biology, and chemical biology. Our goal is to uncover the functions of repetitive DNA, the final frontier of the genome.
Job Duties
- Assist with equipment purchase and maintenance:
- Purchase supplies.
- Serve as biosafety officer for the laboratory.
- Culture human cancer cell lines and cell lines derived from patients with neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., GM15850, an EBV-transformed PBMC line from a patient with Friedreich’s ataxia)
- Conduct laboratory research with Laboratory Director and/or Principal Investigator as opportunities are available.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
- Two years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in basic science or a related field.
- Two years of lab experience, including experience in mammalian cell culture and basic molecular biology techniques such as cloning.
- Experienced in mammalian cell culture.
Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.
17973
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Baylor College of Medicine fosters diversity among its students, trainees, faculty and staff as a prerequisite to accomplishing our institutional mission, and setting standards for excellence in training healthcare providers and biomedical scientists, promoting scientific innovation, and providing patient-centered care. - Diversity, respect, and inclusiveness create an environment that is conducive to academic excellence, and strengthens our institution by increasing talent, encouraging creativity, and ensuring a broader perspective. - Diversity helps position Baylor to reduce disparities in health and healthcare access and to better address the needs of the community we serve. - Baylor is committed to recruiting and retaining outstanding students, trainees, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds by providing a welcoming, supportive learning environment for all members of the Baylor community.