Junior Research Assistant

Position Title :

Junior Research Assistant

Position Type :

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Hiring Range :

This is a fixed-term, part-time position at 19 hours per week. (8 / 15 / 2024 to 8 / 31 / 2025.) The hourly rate is $20.72 to $22.

79, depending on experience.

Pay Frequency : Hourly

Hourly

A. POSITION PURPOSE

To assist in the data acquisition and data analysis of experimental laboratory research under the direction of Professor Amelia Fuller, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Santa Clara University.

This is a part-time, fixed-term position.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist in the Synthesis and Study of New Organic Molecules

• Synthesize various organic molecules using solution and solid-phase synthesis methods, including calculating reagent amounts and monitoring reaction progress.
• Purify synthetic molecules using advanced instrumentation, including High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
• Identify and characterize synthetic products using advanced instrumentation including mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (NMR), and other optical spectroscopy techniques.
• Execute routine troubleshooting of commonly used instrumentation in the laboratory by interfacing with laboratory management staff and / or service representatives.

2. Spectroscopic data analysis

• Analyze and process spectroscopic data to generate plots and figures.
• Use and modify coding scripts to process large data sets (R programming language).

3. Writing Support

• Conduct searches of the scientific literature at the request of the supervisor and summarize findings, including posting articles to online repositories.
• Prepare bibliographies for and proofread grant proposals and research articles produced by the supervisor.

4. Chemical and Consumables Ordering

Keep a working inventory of routinely used chemicals and consumables, and place orders with vendors to replenish these as needed.

5. Maintenance of Laboratory Safety

• Execute and report regular online laboratory safety inspections via the university portal.
• Remedy minor safety code infractions within the laboratory.
• Write standard operating procedure protocol documents to train new students to execute routine laboratory procedures safely and reproducibly.

5. Other duties as assigned.

C. PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

Ensures that undergraduate student researchers maintain a safe laboratory environment and adhere to standard laboratory procedures.

D. GENERAL GUIDELINES

Identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practices.

Maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools.Researches and develops resources that create timely and efficient workflow.

Prepares progress reports, informs supervisor of project status and deviation from goals. Ensures completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all operational functions.

Prepares and submits written or oral reports as requested and required.Develops and implements standard operating procedures to support the functions of the laboratory.

E. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

1 .Knowledge

Basic understanding of the following : working safely in a chemical laboratory, principles of chemical reactivity, stoichiometry, organic synthesis, spectroscopic, analysis of organic molecules

2. Skills

• Safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Synthesis of organic molecules.
• Monitoring organic reaction progress.
• Purification of organic molecules.
• Spectroscopic data acquisition and analysis.
• Basic familiarity with coding : writing and editing scripts for data processing.
• Use of routine laboratory equipment, including balances and micropipettes.
• Searching and critical reading of the scientific literature.
• Basic scientific writing.

3. Abilities

• Understand a nd follow laboratory safety regulations.
• Work independently.
• Work cooperatively as part of a research team, including regular progress reports to supervisor and other members of the laboratory.
• Keep detailed records of work in laboratory notebook

4. Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry or closely aligned field required.

5. Years of Experience

0-3 years of laboratory research experience required.

F. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities.

A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent doing hands-on work at a laboratory bench or fume hood.
• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
• May be required to attend conferences and / or training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.

G. WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Chemistry laboratory environment, including handling hazardous chemicals.
• Indoor laboratory environment with windows.
• Office and laboratory with equipment noise.
• Office and laboratory with frequent interruptions.
1 day ago