Research Assistant I, Internal Medicine

About the Role

The Research Assistant I (RAI) will support Visit 4 and Visit 5 activities for the Dallas Heart Study (DHS), including in-person diabetes-focused research visits for approximately 1,500 participants per visit cycle. This role involves evaluating glucose patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

Key Responsibilities

• Processing research biospecimens, including blood and urine samples.
• Isolating and preparing plasma, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
• Performing specimen receipt, processing, aliquoting, and cryopreservation.
• Managing biospecimen inventory.
• Adhering to established laboratory protocols and quality control procedures.
• Performing scientific and medical research work in fields such as biology, chemistry, or physics.
• Constructing, assembling, and operating laboratory equipment.
• Recording and evaluating data for scientific papers.
• Collaborating on the preparation of scientific papers for publication.
• Reading literature and conferring with supervisors on procedures.
• Collecting and organizing research data for project reports.
• Potentially providing supervision to lower-grade laboratory personnel.
• Performing other assigned duties.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Experience with biospecimen processing.
• Experience with wet laboratory techniques.
• Experience with REDCap data management.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of various laboratory equipment.
• Accuracy and precision in experimental investigation.
• Moderate judgment in applying procedures and practices.

Qualifications

• Education:
• Master's Degree with major coursework in field of assignment.
• Bachelor's Degree with major coursework in field of assignment.
• Completion of 2 years of college with emphasis in coursework in field of assignment.
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience:
• 1 year Research experience at level of Research Technician or equivalent with Bachelor's degree.
• 4 years Research experience including two years at level of Research Technician or equivalent with 2 years of college.
• 6 years Research experience with High School Diploma or GED equivalent including 2 years at level of Research Technician or equivalent.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Physical Requirements: Handling, Repetitive Motions, Sitting, Standing.
• Working Conditions: Hazards, Laboratory Setting.