Job Overview

As one of the oldest medical schools in the country, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (COM) has a reputation for training best-in-class health care professionals and developing cutting-edge procedures and research that improves the health and clinical care of patients. In partnership with the UC Health academic healthcare system and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, College of Medicine’s faculty are transforming the world of medicine every day. The Department of Internal Medicine is a top-tier department with world-renowned faculty and staff.   

A full time Research Associate staff position is available in the laboratory of Dr. George Leikauf, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.   

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join our dynamic research team focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying acute lung injury. This position is funded by a grant aimed at investigating the progression of lung injury caused by acrolein and phosgene inhalation and exploring potential therapeutic targets. The successful candidate will contribute to multi-omic analysis, in vivo studies, and molecular biology experiments to elucidate the mechanisms of lung injury and resolution.

This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research with the potential to make a significant impact in the field of pulmonary disease and toxicology. You will work in a collaborative environment with a team of experts, utilizing innovative techniques and state-of-the-art technologies. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to grow their research skills and contribute to the development of therapies for conditions with unmet clinical needs.

Essential Functions

• Conduct in vivo experiments using mouse models to investigate the progression of CIALI in response to acrolein and phosgene exposure, including administration of inhalants, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and tissue collection.
• Contribute to multi-omic analyses, including spatial lipidomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics, to assess the cellular and subcellular responses in lung tissue.
• Utilize single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression changes at the cellular level and assist in data integration across different omics platforms.
• Perform histopathological assessments of lung tissues to evaluate injury severity and resolution processes.
• Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records, analyze data, and contribute to the interpretation of results.
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator and other team members to design experiments, optimize protocols, and develop new methodologies as needed.
• Prepare and present research findings in team meetings, and contribute to the writing of manuscripts for publication.
• Ensure compliance with animal care protocols and institutional safety regulations.

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree required in degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, or a related field.

Required Experience

• Strong experience with animal handling and in vivo models, particularly with murine models of lung injury.
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques, including RNA extraction, PCR, and data analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics.
• Experience with histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) is highly desirable.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• At least 2 years of relevant research experience.
• Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, or a related field.
• Knowledge of single-cell RNA sequencing or other high-throughput sequencing methods is ideal.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data sets.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to contribute to manuscript preparation and presentations.
• Experience in multi-omic data analysis and bioinformatics.
• Familiarity with lung pathology, especially in the context of acute lung injury or ARDS.
• Knowledge of the inflammatory response and cellular mechanisms of lung injury.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment