Research Associate I - Heart Institute - Van Eyk Lab

Cedars-Sinai

Posted 3 months ago

Full Time

Los Angeles, California

In Person

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

The Research Associate I will conduct routine experimental protocols and molecular biology techniques to support laboratory research projects. Responsibilities include managing rodent animal studies, preparing therapeutic RNA formulations, and maintaining detailed experimental records.

Qualifications

You have a strong foundation in molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, including Western blots, PCR, and cell culture. You are precise, independent, and experienced with animal models and mammalian tissue culture, capable of managing rodent studies and preparing RNA formulations. You will maintain detailed experimental records, operate specialized equipment, and contribute to data analysis and preparation for publication.

Must Have Skills for ATS

Proteomics

Mass spectrometry

Western blots

Northern blots

DNA extraction

RNA extraction

PCR

Protein extraction

Cell culture

Immunohistochemistry

ELISA

Histology

Animal models

Mammalian tissue culture

Rodent studies

RNA formulation

Job Description

Grow your career at Cedars-Sinai!

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has been named to the Honor Roll in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2025-2026” rankings. When you join our team, you’ll have access to groundbreaking biomedical research facilities and world-class medical education programs. We take pride in hiring exceptional, dedicated professionals who are passionate about advancing healthcare. Our physicians, nurses, and staff reflect the culturally and ethnically diverse communities we serve and are united by a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that drives innovation and supports the gold standard of patient care.

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?

The Smidt Heart Institute reflects Cedars-Sinai's steadfast dedication to heart disease and research innovation giving patients access to the highest level of care. Year after year, thousands of people trust their hearts to Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. Our cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and specialized care teams treat the full spectrum of heart disease and disorders, while our investigators continue to advance the field with groundbreaking, life-saving research. From genetic counseling and targeted drug therapies to an increasing array of minimally invasive procedures, Cedars-Sinai continues to stand at the forefront of technology, innovation and discovery improving patient outcomes.

We are seeking a Research Associate to join the lab led by Dr. Jennifer Van Eyk.

Jennifer Van Eyk, PhD, is an international leader in the area of clinical proteomics and her lab has focused on developing technical pipelines for de novo discovery and larger scale quantitative mass spectrometry methods. This includes multiple reaction monitoring (MRM, also known as SRM) and most recently data independent acquisition. Dr. Van Eyk's laboratory is well known for the extreme technical quality of the data generated, rigorous quality control with tight %CV while applying these to key clinical questions. The aim is to maximize throughput and reproducibility in order to move targeted and robust discovery methods into large population healthy continuous assessment and clinical grade assays focusing on brain and cardiovascular diseases.

What will you be doing in this role?

The Research Associate I will conduct routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the goals of one or more laboratory research projects in a specialized research area. Responsibilities include assisting with general laboratory tasks such as reagent upkeep and supply stocking. Filing and monitoring documents. Keeping accurate, detailed records of experiments and outcomes. The Research Associate I aids in operating specialized equipment and machinery, following safety protocols. The role requires performing routine cellular, micro-, and molecular biology techniques including Western and Northern blots, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, protein extraction, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, and staining. There are no supervisory duties in this position. The associate also conducts routine molecular biology and biochemistry assays like immunohistochemistry, microscopy, western blots, ELISA, histology, and manages related data analysis. The ideal candidate is independent, precise, and experienced with animal models and mammalian tissue culture. The individual will work efficiently alone and within a team of faculty, research scientists, and associates. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, coordination of experiments, and data preparation for publication are encouraged. Attendance at lab meetings, maintaining laboratory notebooks, performing calculations, tabulating data, and summarizing experimental methods and results are expected. Additional duties include ordering supplies, maintaining inventories, preparing chemical solutions and culture media, keeping the lab clean, and other assigned tasks.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Performs a variety of routine laboratory tasks and procedures.
  • Maintains detailed and comprehensive records of experiments and their results.
  • May assist with animal husbandry.
  • Keeps lab equipment in good condition and manages associated records.
  • Transports, processes and logs samples.
  • Maintains computer database with relevant clinical information.
  • Performs lab maintenance duties, including glassware cleaning and sterilization.
  • Keeps inventory of general lab materials, and arranges orders for lab equipment and supplies.
  • Assists new students and fellows at the laboratory.
  • Assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery.
  • Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.
  • Managing rodent animal studies including initiating the study, collecting functional readouts, collecting tissue, and sample preparation.
  • Preparation of research-grade therapeutic RNA formulations for in vivo and in vitro testing.
  • Making detailed observations, planning, and assisting with data collection, data analysis, writing and disseminating production results.
  • Carrying out various standard experimental protocols and procedures to support the goals of one or more laboratory research projects.
  • Participating in weekly lab meetings and reporting data results.

Cedars-Sinai

Since its beginning in 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the healthcare needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, continually setting new standards for quality and innovation in patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is widely known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai receives consistent recognition for our excellence. Our awards include; being named one of America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, receiving the National Research Corporation’s Consumer Choice Award 19 years in a row for providing the highest-quality medical care in Los Angeles, achieving the longest-running Magnet designation for nursing excellence in California, and being recognized as The Advisory Board Company’s 2017 Workplace of the Year, an award Cedars-Sinai has won three years in a row. This annual award recognizes hospitals and health systems nationwide that have outstanding levels of employee engagement. Cedars-Sinai is a leader in the clinical care and research of heart disease, cancer and brain disorders, among other areas. Pioneering research achievements include using cardiac stem cells to repair damaged hearts, developing minimally invasive surgical techniques and discovering new types of drugs to target cancer more precisely. Cedars-Sinai also impacts the future of healthcare through education programs that encompass everything from highly competitive medical residency and fellowship programs to a biomedical science and translational medicine PhD program, advanced training for nurses and educational opportunities for allied health professionals. Most notably, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a longstanding commitment to strengthening the Los Angeles community through wide-ranging programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.
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