Research Assistant, Department of Surgery

About Surgery

The Department of Surgery at VCU is committed to the tripartite mission of excellent clinical care, education and innovation. We have an impressive history and the extent of its impact on modern surgery is immense. As a member of this incredible department, you will join a team of dedicated, passionate, and hardworking individuals who strive to drive our mission regardless of their role. Surgery is a fast-paced environment, with every day offering a new experience and challenge. If your goal is to learn, grow, and develop as an employee and as an individual while also supporting impactful clinical work, Surgery is the place for you!

Position Overview:

The Department of Surgery, in partnership with the VA Medical Center have an immediate opening for a research assistant with experience in molecular biology and/or developmental therapeutics. The research assistant will be joining our exciting new program focusing on understanding gastrointestinal metastasis to the peritoneum. This position will work very closely with our collaborators both at McGuire VA Medical Center and Virginia Commonwealth University. The laboratory's central focus is on understanding drivers of gastrointestinal metastases to the peritoneum and translational solutions to peritoneal metastasis. The individual is expected to perform the highest quality research in understanding the mechanisms driving colorectal cancer peritoneal dissemination and developing novel molecules for targeting it. Together with our collaborators we plan to bring our expertise in acute injury, cancer stem cell biology and development of novel therapeutics in tackling this very difficult problem with a clear unmet clinical need. Progress will be evaluated based on the ability to perform quality work in a fast-paced environment, collaborate well with fellow scientists, and demonstrate the ability to learn and grow scientifically, including preparing and publishing high-quality scientific manuscripts. The research assistant hired will assist with collecting, collating, and analyzing data, as well as perform laboratory experiments for data generation and manage routine laboratory tasks. They will also assist in preparing documentation for lab experimental procedures and present research data findings to their immediate supervisors.

Typical Duties

Responsibility 1: General Lab operations and management.
Task 1: Order lab supplies and keep track of lab inventory.
Task 2: Maintain lab compliance records; keep biosafety/IACUC records and represent the lab during inspections.
Task 3: Perform routine laboratory tasks such as maintaining reagent buffers etc. and keeping the workspace clean and efficient
Task 4: Demonstrate initiative and skills in lab organization including management of supplies, ordering reagents, procuring animals and maintain logs and inventory.
Task 5: Demonstrate organizational and problem-solving skills. Serve as a source of guidance and information to other lab staff, students, and residents.
Task 3: Schedule and coordinate lab surgical activities and maintain lab surgical equipment.

Responsibility 2: Research Assistance.
Task 1: Supports faculty researchers and other collaborators in planning research experiments, submissions, IACUC protocols, grant writing, etc.
Task 2: Liaisons with other departments, outside collaborators, and others as needed to ensure success of projects.
Task 3: Support and assist faculty and other research personnel with presentations, journal submissions, and other applicable reporting and publications

Responsibility 3: Data management and collection.
Task 1: Data entry into Microsoft Excel and/or other research database systems per institutional and protocol-specific guidelines
Task 2: Practices routine verification of the accuracy of data
Task 3: Familiarity with excel, graphpad, adobe photoshop, powerpoint and word programs.

Responsibility 4: Other duties as assigned
Task 1: Other duties as assigned by your supervisor or other leaders