Temporary Research Assistant - Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology

Description

West Virginia University Health Science Center is currently accepting applications for a Temporary Research Assistant for the Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology

About the Opportunity

The primary purpose of this position is to assist a biomedical research scientist in maintaining a growing and productive research program that is focused on the interaction of maternal diet-induced obesity and reproductive outcomes. This involves (1) providing assistance in experimental procedures on laboratory animals, isolated tissues and cultured cells, and in the analysis and presentation of experimental findings, and (2) the training and oversight of other laboratory personnel.

What you'll do:

• Maintain large cohorts of mice being subjected to a novel high-fat diet which includes groups being house at 22 and 28 degrees Celsius. Cares for experimental animals by watering, feeding, weighing, preparing special diets, and
  
  careful observation daily.
• Perform i.p. glucose tolerance tests (GTT), i.p. insulin tolerance tests (ITT), echo-assisted body mass composition analysis and blood sampling on mice.
• Harvest and carefully catalogue murine tissues and body fluids.
• Collection, analysis, interpretation and graphing of experimental data using computer systems (analog-digital conversion, image analysis procedures, data file management, etc.).

Length of Assignment: Approximately 8.5 months

Pay Grade: 15

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, chemistry, or other science field; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 0-6 months of experience:
  • Animal husbandry, including small animal handling and surgery
  • Use of computers, scientific and statistical software
  • Experience in general murine surgery/tissue harvest
  • Operation of scientific instrumentation for the measurement of xanthine oxidase activity and uric acid levels in mouse tissues.
• Rodent handling skills
• Microsurgical skills,
• Skills in handling cells and in cell culture techniques,
• Ability to record, organize, analyze, interpret and graph experimental data using a computer and specialized software programs,
• Experience with ITT/GTT on mice,
• Skills necessary to communicate and work effectively with people in a trainer/supervisor role.