Research Assistant

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors >

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation's best urban public research universities. Home to more than 50,000 students, 11,000 faculty and staff and 340,000 alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls "the most ambitious campus design program in the country."

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, nine straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 Conference, UC's momentum has never been stronger. UC's annual budget tops $1.65 billion and its endowment totals $1.8 billion. The University's overall regional economic impact exceeds $10.6 billion, paving the way for the future of Cincinnati.

About the University of Cincinnati

Research Assistant (NE), Biological Sciences, Arts & Sciences

Job Overview

Seeking a full-time laboratory technician for an Applied and Environmental Microbiology lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Cincinnati. Position duties include: maintenance of anaerobic cultures, gas chromatography, organization of laboratory space; ordering, set-up and maintenance of laboratory equipment; media making and preparation; basic molecular biology (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR etc.); development of laboratory protocols; and various focused research projects on funded research topics. 

Essential Functions

• Coordinate and monitor fiscal administrative duties.
• Assist in processing of guest payments, support, and alternative for onboarding and other office management.
• Assist faculty and research staff with the processing of financial transactions for federal, state, and private grants, contracts, and any other external funding sources. Post-award duties include management for financial and regulatory compliance, meet regularly with Principal Investigators (PIs) for expense reporting and projects, and processing reports and transactions, including subcontract activity for the full lifecycle of sponsored program administration from start to close out. 
• Assist faculty, staff, and guests with travel and expense reimbursement processing which includes reviewing and preparing expense reports for reimbursements and credit card transactions.
• Assist in the development of unit policies and procedures.
• Monitor the financial status of unit programs and other budget allocations.
• Implement policies to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Prepare financial reports.
• May coordinate personnel functions for an operating unit at less than 25% of duties.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Five (5) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.

Required Experience

Additional related work experience may be required depending on field or discipline.

Required Trainings/Certifications

N/A

Additional Qualifications Considered

Desired Qualifications:  

• Experience with anaerobic microbiology with competence in: media making, basic cultivation approaches 
• Experience with analytical methods such as ion chromatography, gas chromatography, etc.  
• Competence with organizing lab protocols and data, and familiarity with data/computational/statistical analysis (optimally via, Excel, R and/or python).

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Sitting - Continuously
• Repetitive hand motion (such as typing) - Often
• Hearing, listening - Often
• Talking - Often
• Standing - Often
• Walking - Often
• Bending - Often
• Stooping - Often
• Lifting - up to 20 pounds - Often
• Kneeling, squatting - Seldom
• Climbing stairs/ladders - Not Required
• Crouching - Not Required
• Crawling - Not Required
• Reaching overhead - Not Required
• Pulling, pushing - Not Required
• Shoveling - Not Required
• Lifting - up to 50 pounds - Not Required
• Lifting - over 50 pounds - Not Required
• Noise: There is sufficient noise to cause you to shout in order to be heard above the noise level.
• Hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts of machinery or tools used to perform work, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals.
• Atmospheric Conditions: Conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

Application Process Information

Applicants, please submit a resume or CV, contact information for two references, along with at least a 1-page cover letter describing your background and interest in this position.

Desired Start Date May 15, 2024

The Rowe lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms and diversity of microbial respirations that involve oxidation-reduction reactions with solid phase minerals (i.e., rocks), or in the laboratory setting with electrodes (Electromicrobiology). Laboratory projects include techniques in: visualizing and quantifying the energetics of electron flow in model bacterial systems (i.e. Shewanella), utilizing high through-put genetic techniques (i.e. Tn-seq) to identify genes involved in Extracellular Electron Transfer (EET) in sediment microbes, and testing electron transfer in model microbial communities that make methane through electrochemistry and anaerobic culturing. This position will focus on the later area, with specific interest in growing the metal reducing microbe Geobacter metalirreducens and methanogens within the Methanosarcinales. Opportunities for learning genetic techniques and electrochemistry will be provided. Mentoring of undergraduates will also be encouraged. 

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Competitive salary range of $55,000 dependent on the candidate's experience.
• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
• Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at . 

The University of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQ: 95826 

About University of Cincinnati

HISTORY IN BRIEF - The University of Cincinnati is a public urban serving research institution that was founded in 1819 and today is one of the country’s largest universities offering more than 350 academic programs to more than 44,000 students. UC has many top ranked programs in areas such as Music and Arts, Medical and Human-Services, Criminal Justice and more. Located in an urban setting, UC is close to the heart of Cincinnati and allows easy access for students to enjoy all that the city offers. UC is also the alma mater of many notables such as President William Howard Taft; Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine; Astronaut Neil Armstrong and Mary Weinberg, 2008 Olympic gold medalist. UC is classified as a Research University (Very High Research Activity) by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked as one of America’s top 35 public research universities by the National Science Foundation. UC jumped 17 spots in the U.S. News & World Report rankings in the past two years alone. In addition to being named a “green university” by Princeton Review, UC has been named one of the world’s most beautiful campuses by Forbes and Delta Sky magazines. Learn more at ... N STATEMENT - The University of Cincinnati serves the people of Ohio, the nation, and the world as a premier, public, urban research university dedicated to undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, experience-based learning, and research. We are committed to excellence and diversity in our students, faculty, staff, and all of our activities. We provide an inclusive environment where innovation and freedom of intellectual inquiry flourish. Through scholarship, service, partnerships, and leadership, we create opportunity, develop educated and engaged citizens, enhance the economy and enrich our University, city, state and global community.

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