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A Molecular Biology and Neuroscience laboratory in the Department of Ophthalmology is seeking a Research Specialist. The Research Specialist will help to design and perform experiments to understand how diabetes affects neuronal cell survival, and metabolism in the retina with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets for diabetic retinopathy. This is a unique opportunity to interact closely with the Principal Investigator one-on-one regarding execution and interpretation of protocols while also learning cutting-edge techniques from several large highly-productive laboratories at Johns Hopkins in the Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and the Institute of Cell Engineering. The ideal candidate will possess a meticulous attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and an innovative spirit, and will demonstrate the ability to think critically about experimental design, results, and troubleshooting.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Tissue culture, including maintenance and differentiation of stem cells to retinal ganglion cells using previously-established protocols.
• Cell viability and metabolic assays.
• Molecular biology techniques, including Western blotting and qPCR.
• Mouse eye/retina tissue dissection, preparation, and cryosectioning.
• Immunostaining and confocal microscopy.
• Assistance with management of multiple mouse lines, including genotyping and maintaining database.
• In vivo phenotyping of mouse retinal structure and function.
• Independent analysis of data and contribution to manuscript/abstract preparation, with oversight from PI.
• Additional tasks related to laboratory equipment maintenance and ordering as needed.
• Training of other laboratory personnel as applicable.
• Some weekend availability is required for maintenance of stem cells and other mission-critical tasks.

• BA/BS or equivalent in Biological Sciences or related field.
  

• At least 1 year of prior experience in a cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or Neuroscience laboratory.
  

• Master's Degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Experience with stem cell culture and mouse handling.
• Experience with CRISPR gene editing, neuroscience or metabolism research, and microsurgery would be especially beneficial.

Special Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience with tissue culture and sterile handling of cells.
• Experience with basic cellular and molecular Biology techniques (PCR, Western blotting, immunostaining).
• Ability to maintain meticulous written records, independently design and carry out experiments, and interpret results.
• Ability to read and interpret scientific articles.
• Motivation and ability to interpret, troubleshoot and improve experiments.
• Excellent communication skills.

Classified Title: Research Specialist 
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MA  
Starting Salary Range: $34,560 - $47,490/Annually (Commensurate with experience) 
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Mon-Fri 40 hrs per week. Some weekend hours required 
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt 
Location: School of Medicine Campus
Department name: ​​​​​​​SOM Oph Retina Service
Personnel area: School of Medicine 

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:

JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.

**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

EEO is the Law
Learn more:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

Accommodation Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the Talent Acquisition Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply, depending on campus. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.

Note: Job Postings are updated daily and remain online until filled.

About Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University remains committed to its founding principle, that education for all students should be grounded in exploration and discovery. Hopkins students are challenged not just to learn but also to advance learning itself. Critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship are all encouraged and nourished in this unique educational environment. After more than 130 years, Johns Hopkins remains a world leader in both teaching and research. Faculty members and their research colleagues at the university's Applied Physics Laboratory have each year since 1979 won Johns Hopkins more federal research and development funding than any other university. The university has nine academic divisions and campuses throughout the Baltimore-Washington area. The Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, the Whiting School of Engineering, the School of Education and the Carey Business School are based at the Homewood campus in northern Baltimore. The schools of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The Peabody Institute, a leading professional school of music, is located on Mount Vernon Place in downtown Bal...timore. The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies is located in Washington's Dupont Circle area.

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