Research Assistant, Anatomy

Summary
The Research Assistant will support faculty research in mammalian morphology, evolution, and health. The position reports to the Chair of the Department of Anatomy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include:
• Laser-scan and (micro) CT scan processing
• Data collection and manipulation (including 3D data)
• Literature research
• Creation of scientific figures and posters
• Proofreading
Secondary responsibilities include:
• Mentoring and training of student workers
• Organization of digital resources
• Statistical analysis
• Scientific writing
• Laboratory maintenance including purchasing

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Qualifications
Excellent organizational skills and proficiency with the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office are required. Previous experience manipulating 3D scans is preferred. English-language, reasoning, and mathematical skills are also required, as is comfort handling cadaveric and osteological material.

Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree preferred. 0-2 years of relevant laboratory experience, with a background in physical/biological anthropology, paleontology, biomedical sciences, or anatomy is preferred.

Computer Skills
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, statistical software, 3D visualization software, and/or 3D printing are extremely desirable. Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) is required.

Language Skills
Intermediate skills: The ability to read and interpret documents such as safety guidelines, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedural manuals is essential. The position requires the ability to write scientific reports and correspondence and to speak effectively to groups of people, such as, at scientific conferences and meetings.

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

Mathematical Ability
Intermediate skills: The ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference and volume. The position requires the 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 frequently required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, depth, color and close vision.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters 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 is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally required to work in wet or humid conditions (non-weather), work near moving mechanical parts and exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.

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).