Research Assistant

About the Role

Augusta University is seeking a Research Assistant to perform laboratory research experiments in support of ongoing basic science research and clinical studies. This role involves managing laboratory supplies, equipment, and inventory, coordinating administrative and regulatory activities, and assisting with day-to-day laboratory operations. The position may involve coordinating and supervising students and support staff, and ensuring compliance with institutional policies, research protocols, and safety guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with animal research procedures, including animal monitoring, colony support, pregnancy/tumor model assistance, tissue collection, sample labeling, and coordination with approved animal protocols.
• Process biological samples, including oral swabs, milk samples, blood, tumors, reproductive tissues, oral tissues, and immune cell preparations for downstream analyses.
• Perform cell culture and in vitro assays, including maintenance of tumor and/or trophoblast-related cell lines, preparation of reagents, treatment setup, viability assays, and sample collection.
• Assist with immunological, molecular, and histological assays, including flow cytometry sample preparation, qPCR preparation, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and microscopy-related workflows.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, enter and organize experimental data, assist with basic data analysis, prepare figures/tables as needed, and ensure proper documentation of protocols and results.
• Maintain an active, organized, and compliant laboratory environment, including ordering supplies, inventory management, equipment cleaning, reagent preparation, biosafety practices, waste disposal, and coordination with core facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, cell biology, social sciences, natural sciences, life sciences, health care, or materials science directly related to the research area, and experience in a research or clinical setting.
• OR Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, cell biology, social sciences, natural sciences, life sciences, health care, or materials science directly related to the research area, and a minimum of three years of experience in a research or clinical area.
• Prior hands-on laboratory research experience.
• Experience with animal handling and animal breeding/colony management.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique.
• Experience with flow cytometry sample preparation and/or analysis.
• Experience with histological techniques, including tissue processing, sectioning, staining, immunohistochemistry, or immunofluorescence.
• Knowledge of basic biology, reagent preparation, sample processing, and laboratory safety procedures.
• Good communication skills and ability to work under PI supervision with increasing independence.
• Basic computer skills, including document preparation, data entry, and spreadsheets.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to follow established protocols and maintain accurate laboratory records.
• Ability to organize samples, enter data accurately, and maintain laboratory documentation.
• Ability to use basic laboratory equipment and troubleshoot routine technical issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of two years of hands-on laboratory research experience.
• Experience with mouse handling, animal breeding/colony management, mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, and histological techniques is strongly preferred and highly important for this position.
• The candidate must be able to follow established protocols, maintain accurate records, and perform routine laboratory tasks with increasing independence after training.
• Prior experience with mouse models, animal breeding/colony management, mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, and histological techniques is strongly desirable.
• Experience with immunostaining, microscopy, molecular biology assays, sample processing, and laboratory record keeping is also preferred.
• The ideal candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, reliable, and able to perform routine laboratory tasks with increasing independence.

Conditions of Employment

• All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.
• If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.
• Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle.
• For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.
• All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

• Shift: Days/M-F
• Salary Range: $17.88/hourly - $21.92/hourly
• Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits may include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.
• Full-time employees employed for more than 6 months may be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.