Position Details
Position Information
Banner Position Number R10917 Position Title Research Assistant Classification Title MURC-Biological Scientists Department SOM-BioMedical Science - RC5130 Job Description
The Sidarala Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant to join a dynamic research program focused on understanding how mitochondrial dynamics regulates pancreatic -cell function, aging, and diabetes. The successful candidate will contribute to projects investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying type 2 diabetes using cutting-edge molecular biology and imaging approaches.
This position is ideal for individuals interested in gaining extensive research experience before pursuing graduate, medical, or professional school, or for candidates seeking a career in biomedical research. Outstanding candidates will have opportunities to co-author peer-reviewed publications and present research at regional and national scientific meetings.
Primary Responsibilities
The Research Assistant will:
- Manage and maintain mouse colonies, including colony organization, record keeping, and health monitoring
- Establish breeding schemes and genotyping workflows to generate experimental mouse cohorts
- Assist with and perform in vivo studies, including animal handling, injections, metabolic phenotyping, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, blood and tissue collection, and other physiological assessments (training provided as needed)
- Perform pancreatic islet isolations from mice (training provided as needed)
- Perform molecular biology techniques including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, cloning, and genotyping
- Conduct biochemical assays including Western blotting, ELISA, insulin secretion assays, and enzyme activity measurements
- Prepare laboratory reagents and solutions, maintain laboratory equipment, manage inventory, and ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures
- Organize, analyze, and maintain accurate records of experimental data using electronic laboratory notebooks
- Participate in laboratory meetings and contribute to manuscript preparation and grant applications as appropriate
Research Areas
Projects in the laboratory focus on:
- Pancreatic islet biology and -cell physiology
- Mitochondrial dynamics, cellular metabolism and bioenergetics
- Aging and age-associated metabolic diseases
- Translational studies using mouse and human -cell models
Training Opportunities
The Research Assistant will receive training in modern techniques including:
- Pancreatic islet isolation and functional assays
- Live-cell and super-resolution confocal imaging
- Metabolic phenotyping
- Molecular and cellular biology
- Experimental design and statistical analysis
- Scientific writing and presentation skills
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate research records; Willingness to learn new laboratory techniques
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with one or more of the following is desirable but not required:
- Experience working with laboratory mice, including animal handling and husbandry
- Experience managing transgenic or knockout mouse colonies, including breeding strategies and colony record keeping
- Familiarity with mouse genotyping techniques, including DNA extraction and PCR
- Experience with in vivo procedures such as injections, blood collection, metabolic phenotyping, or tissue harvesting
- Experience with pancreatic islet isolation or other tissue dissection techniques
- Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques, including PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, or cloning
- Familiarity with immunofluorescence microscopy or confocal microscopy
Location MURC - Marshall University Research Corporation Salary Range Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field
Experience
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate research records; Willingness to learn new laboratory techniques
Preferred Qualifications
Education Experience
Experience with one or more of the following is desirable but not required:
- Experience working with laboratory mice, including animal handling and husbandry
- Experience managing transgenic or knockout mouse colonies, including breeding strategies and colony record keeping
- Familiarity with mouse genotyping techniques, including DNA extraction and PCR
- Experience with in vivo procedures such as injections, blood collection, metabolic phenotyping, or tissue harvesting
- Experience with pancreatic islet isolation or other tissue dissection techniques
- Experience with mammalian cell culture and molecular biology techniques, including PCR, qPCR, Western blotting, or cloning
- Familiarity with immunofluorescence microscopy or confocal microscopy
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number MR0887 Open Date 07/30/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions Summary
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial Transcripts
Optional Documents