Research Specialist II - Touil Lab - Department of Neurology

About the Role

The Research Specialist II applies a solid foundation in research and experience with techniques associated with a specific area of research. Incumbent will be capable of exercising independent judgment while leading and coordinating established research programs, project planning, enrollment of patients, experimental protocols and procedures, database development and analysis including evaluating and interpreting results. The incumbent will participate in and may lead and train lab activities including but not limited to: research grant management, human resources, responsibility delegation, and provide training to other individuals who may be assigned to the project, study, or laboratory. Will have delegated authority under the direction of the principal investigator to make substantive decisions and commitments in accordance with the established goals and objectives of the laboratory or program. Leads and trains on others on lab activities. This role will support laboratory research projects in Neuro-immunology by performing immunologic, transcriptomics, and computational analyses, while contributing to the development and maintenance of a human fluid Biobank. The role involves handling and processing human bio-specimens, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), developing and implementing sample processing pipelines and databases, and conducting biomarker investigations using a multi-omics approach such as proteomics, spectral flow cytometry, and transcriptomics. Primary

Duties and Responsibilities

Applies scientific expertise to current and future projects while interacting with sponsors, collaborators, clinical research personnel and researchers as part of a research team. Takes initiative and acts as project lead under close direction of Principal Investigator. Participates in all aspects of clinical development and study management (protocol design, enrollment of patients, development and implementation of protocols, and if applicable, submission of IRB applications and approvals). Follows established procedures or protocols to perform increasingly complex laboratory tests and/or experiments. May act as point of escalation for laboratory staff. Prepares publications and presentations, writes and prepares grant proposals and coordinates application and submission process. Operates lab computers for data entry and maintains accurate data records for assigned research projects. Uses various software applications, such as spreadsheets, electronic mail, World Wide Web, statistical packages, and graphics packages to assemble, manipulate and/or format data and/or test reports. Operates appropriate laboratory equipment. Monitors inventory levels, orders materials and supplies. Acts as a scientific expert for the affiliated pre-clinical research laboratory (e.g., assisted with experimental designs, data analysis, interpretation of scientific literature). Identify and resolve increasingly complicated problems involved in research assays. Establishes and maintains relationships with clinical investigators and manages internal and external collaborative research projects. Exercises independent scientific judgment while leading and coordinating the planning of current and future experiments and evaluating and interpreting results. Will function as a bridge between research and clinical programs which may have local and national contributors and investigators relying on information provided. Maintains awareness and timely execution of progress reports required by sponsors, safety boards, and/or supervising teams when applicable. Department-Specific Duties: Maintains accurate documentation of samples, procedures, and results. Processes and manages human bio-specimens (blood, serum, plasma, CSF). Supports development and maintenance of a bio-repository and associated sample tracking systems. Supports project design for discovery and validation of biomarkers. Performs basic data and computational analyses of research datasets, including proteomics, transcriptomics and flow cytometry. Designs and completes immunological, transcriptomics, and multi-omics experiments to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and neuro-immune processes. Follows SOPs and laboratory safety standards. Supports general laboratory and departmental research activities including collaborations.

• Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research.
• Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service.
• Today, Cedars- Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients.
• Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow's health professionals.
• Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.
• Cedars-Sinai is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the U.S., with 915 licensed beds, 2,993 physicians, 4,700+ nurses and thousands of other healthcare professionals and staff.
• Choose this if you want to work in a fast-paced environment that offers the highest level of care to people in the Los Angeles that need our care the most.