General Summary/Purpose

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with interest and expertise in stem cell biology and molecular biology. The Sr. Research Specialist will participate in ongoing projects involving the study of pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural cells. Under the direction of lab Principle Investigator (PI), this individual will be responsible for the derivation, gene editing, differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell lines, engineering of stems cells and neural tissue-like structures/organoids to model Parkinson disease, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD related dementia (ADRD). The candidate will also assist post-doctoral fellows and graduate students in the design and implementation of experiments related to pluripotent stem cell and neuroscience. This position plays an important role at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine by enabling investigators to perform state-of-the-art cellular, molecular and/or developmental biology experimentation in patient pluripotent stem cells and derived cells.  

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Conduct and design independent research under the direction of lab Principle Investigator (PI)

• Basic responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, all aspects of cell culture, including media, reagent, buffer ordering and preparation, culture maintenance, cryopreservation of cells and work with both primary and stem cell lines. Executes basic molecular biology: PCR, molecular cloning, mini/maxi prep, Western blot, histochemistry and immunocytochemistry using fluorescence microscopy and Confocal, etc.
• Reprogram human iPSC from human somatic cells (in particular, peripheral blood mononuclear cell) and validate new human pluripotent stem cell lines.  
• Perform neuronal differentiation of multiple neuronal subtypes and phenotyping, including high content/high throughput image analysis, multielectrode array recordings for functional analysis. Analyze stem cell cultures and their derivatives using wide range of assays including ELISA, q-PCR, single cell RNA seq and flow cytometry.
• Investigate mechanisms that underly the unique properties of each neuron subtype to meet the demands of multiple concurrent projects. Create and maintain iPSC-derived organoids.
• Perform CRISPR/Cas-mediated mutagenesis in cell lines to generate CRISPR engineered hiPSCs and optimize hiPSC CRISPR screens.
• Help develop and carryout new techniques for various studies ongoing in the lab.
• Provides training/ supervision to other individuals who may be assigned to the laboratory on a regular or temporary basis.
• Perform general maintenance in the laboratory. Ensure laboratory conforms to all institutional safety and compliance guidelines and policies relevant to the work conducted in the laboratory both on an ongoing day-to-day basis and for annual inspections.
• Meet regularly with the PI to discuss study progress.
• Developing, authoring and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), reports and other scientific and quality documents.
• Coordinate, organize and arrange regular scientific meetings for team members as needed.
• Monitor equipment performance and maintenance, and be responsible for scheduling repairs and renewing service contracts when necessary.
• Assist in the completion of ACUC, IRB and FDA applications.
  Perform other various laboratory tasks as requested. 
   
  The position may require flexible working hours including some weekends to meet demands for maintenance of cell culture experiments based on projects assigned
   
   

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry or related field.

Four (4) years’ experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.

Master's degree, with related graduate research, may substitute for experience to the extent permitted by the JHU Equivalency Formula: 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for the 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. *

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree and at least one year of cell culture experience preferred.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Research background and knowledge of Neuroscience, Development and/or Stem Cell Biology.

• Working experience with stem cell culture, ideally human embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells.
• Hands-on knowledge of cutting-edge techniques in the field of reprogramming and cell culture.
• Gene editing experience (CRISPR/Cas9, TALEN, etc) is preferred expertise in induced pluripotent stem cells manipulation and differentiation, ideally towards neural and myeloid cell types.
• Demonstrated experience with genome editing or functional genomic screening (si/sh-RNA and/or CRISPR-Cas9).
• Scientific background in disease modeling and/or the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and their derivatives to model human disease.
• Skilled in performing flow cytometry.
• Quick-learner and desire to learn novel stem cell and neuroscience techniques.
• Previous experience with the HopkinsOne system and ordering from the JHU CORE store, JHU Supply Store, and external vendors.
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to exercise professional judgment and good written and oral communication skills is required.

We offer challenging and impactful work.

Come and join our rapidly growing team, work with talent and dedicated people and help develop innovative technologies that will have a lasting impact on the stem cell field and neurological disorders.

Classified Title: Sr. Research Specialist 
Working Title: Sr. Research Specialist  ​​​​​
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/MC 
Starting Salary Range: $45,195 - $62,225 /Commensurate with Experience
Employee group: Full Time 
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30a - 5:00p / 37.5 hours per week 
Exempt Status: Exempt  
Location: 04-MD:School of Medicine Campus 
Department name: 10002871-SOM ICE Neuroregeneration 
Personnel area: School of Medicine

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

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 HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work.  Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

During the Influenza ("the flu") season, as a condition of employment, The Johns Hopkins Institutions require all employees who provide ongoing services to patients or work in patient care or clinical care areas to have an annual influenza vaccination or possess an approved medical or religious exception. Failure to meet this requirement may result in termination of employment.

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.

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