The Research Assistant II will support the laboratory of Dr. Christian Metallo. They will focus on research related to stem cell and organoid-based stem cell models of the brain, that will be used to study the metabolism of human glial cells in various disease conditions. This research on iPSC cultures and organoids will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Metallo and a post-doctoral fellow and will comprise the main duties of this role. In addition to differentiating and maintaining iPSC cultures, other duties may include media preparation, plating, passaging, and freezing cells for 2D tissue culture, preparation of samples and loading samples for mass spectrometry analysis, basic mass spectrometry equipment maintenance (under supervision), molecular biology techniques with RNA and DNA, Western blots, general lab maintenance, and collaboration with other lab members.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Perform standard mammalian cell culture including regular maintenance of iPSC lines.
• Execute differentiation experiments to generate glial and neuronal organoids.
• Plate, passage, thaw, and freeze cells to maintain 2D tissue culture lines, bank cells, and generate cells for experiments.
• Maintain tissue culture lab space for cultivation and differentiation of pluripotent stem cell models of neurological disease.
• Perform basic molecular biology procedures for gene and protein analysis.
• Execute metabolite and protein extractions from cells, organoids, and biospecimens.
• Analyze samples and perform basic maintenance of gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry instruments.
• Perform duties to support experiments, including mentoring new staff and students.
• Assist with operational support for laboratory, including space and equipment.
• Modify procedures for specific research and contribute to new techniques and protocols.
• Ensure data quality and integrity.
• Make and document detailed observations and exercise sound judgement in task execution.
• Attend meetings to discuss future research direction.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• Minimum 2 years' experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. A minimum of 4 years of experience in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelor's degree in a different discipline.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office. Statistical analysis, graphing, and presentation of data.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $21.00 to $25.00 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.