Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant/Post-Doc Fellow at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Research Assistant Job Description

Design and perform experiments employing scientific techniques or research protocols including the use of rodent models, behavioral and neurochemical approaches, as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses in fecal samples. Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines.  Assist staff with experiments/research protocols as required. Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.

Collect and log laboratory results.  Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.

Assist principal investigator with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data to be used in preparing and presenting presentations for professional, scientific and academic conferences and submittal to academic and scholarly peer-reviewed journals.
Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required.  Order and organize required research supplies and records.  Maintain cleanliness and organization of workstation.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Post Doc Fellow Job Description 

Lead research projects on brain-gut microbiome interactions in response to drugs of abuse, multi-symptom disorders, and traumatic brain injury. Perform scientific techniques or research protocols involving the use of rodent models, behavioral and neurochemical approaches, as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses in fecal samples.  Assist the Principal Investigator in designing and performing protocols. Design and perform experiments. Collect and log research data.  Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines.  Assist other lab members with experiments as required. 

Evaluate and perform preliminary analysis of the data using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated.

Prepare and present presentations regarding research project results for professional, scientific and academic conferences.  Summarize and organize data results for submittal to academic and scholarly, peer-reviewed journals.  Write scientific manuscripts and other documents for publication. Fact-check, proofread, and edit research documents to ensure accuracy.

Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required.  Order and organize required research supplies and records.  Maintain cleanliness and organization of workstation.

With the assistance of the mentor, find and write research grant proposals with the goal of obtaining additional research grant funding.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Lead research projects on brain-gut microbiome interactions in response to drugs of abuse, multi-symptom disorders, and traumatic brain injury. Studies in the newly established laboratory employ rodent models, behavioral and neurochemical approaches, as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses in fecal samples to assess the role of the gut microbiome in brain responses to stimulant drugs and brain injury.

Research Assistant Qualifications

Research background in neurochemistry, animal behavior, neuropathology, or cell biology is desired. Experience in working/handling rodents is preferred.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to work independently.  Ability to analyze, summarize and interpret research findings and
data in reports and spreadsheets and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity
principles. Excellent time management and organization skills.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment.  Microsoft office software skills.

Post Doc Fellow Qualifications

Education   Doctorate degree
Requires advanced knowledge in a field of biological or biomedical sciences, predominantly intellectual in character, acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction.  

Experience   Intermediate (3 to 4 years job-related experience)
Job-related experience can include doctorate training.  Research background in neurochemistry, animal behavior, neuropathology, or cell biology is desired. Experience in working/handling rodents is preferred.  Must have distinguished themselves in research, as documented by peer-reviewed publications. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to work independently. Ability to collect, analyze, summarize and interpret research findings in reports and communicate results to the field. Knowledge of and experience with current scientific integrity principles. Strong written and oral communication skills suitable for scientific publication and presentations and for preparing grant proposals to secure funding for research.  Excellent time management and organization skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment.  Microsoft office software skills.

Ph.D. with research background in neurochemistry, animal behavior, neuropathology, or cell biology. Experience in working/handling rodents is greatly valued.

H06 - School of Medicine

H0606

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Research

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: TBD
• Salary hire maximum: TBD

Lab research environment

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.