Research Assistant

The Research Assistant provides technical support to Anatomy faculty members in relation to their research projects and grants. Work is performed under the direct supervision of Anatomy faculty members. The position reports to the Chair of the Anatomy department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The successful applicant will have experience in digital analysis of morphometric and/or geographic and/or similar coordinate data. For example, the successful applicant will:
•Collect 3D coordinate data for bone and fossil specimens
•Photograph and measure fossil specimens
•Perform fossil preparation and specimen curation, including database management and tracking loans
•Manipulate and organize morphological, geographic, and behavioral data
•Perform digital image analysis
•Graph and analyze data with supervision
•Keep an accurate lab notebook
•Provide handling of laboratory specimens in a safe and sanitary manner using equipment under established procedures
•Assist with dissection and maceration of soft tissue zoological specimens
•Contribute to abstract submissions and poster preparation
•Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree from four-year College or University is required. Prior research experience is preferred, but not necessary.

Computer Skills

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Language Skills

Intermediate skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of students or employees of organization.

Reasoning Ability

Intermediate skills: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Mathematical Ability

Intermediate skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, area, circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee is regularly required to walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste and smell. The employee is frequently required to stand, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision correctable to 20/40 in one eye, close vision, color vision, and depth vision, especially for using microscopes.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be required to work near moving mechanical parts and may occasionally be exposed to vibrations, toxic and caustic chemicals, and fumes/airborne particles.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or veterans status, in accord with 41 C.F.R. 60-1.4(a), 250.5(a), 300.5(a) and 741.5(a).