Research Assistant - Department of Pharmacology

Wayne State University - Detroit, MI

Full-time - Entry Level

Detroit, MI

Educational Services

About the position

Wayne State University is seeking a dedicated Research Assistant for the Department of Pharmacology at its Detroit campus. This full-time position is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in research and education. The Research Assistant will work under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, providing essential scientific and technical support for laboratory-based, clinical, or population science research. The role involves a variety of responsibilities, including assisting in the writing of research protocols and manuscript preparation, as well as designing and performing experiments independently or under supervision. The successful candidate will engage in recruiting participants for studies, developing surveys, and conducting interviews, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory, and protocol guidelines throughout the research process. In addition to conducting experiments, the Research Assistant will be responsible for collecting and logging laboratory results, clinical outcomes, and survey data. Data analysis will be a key component of the role, requiring the ability to evaluate results and present findings using graphs, charts, or tables. The Research Assistant will also proofread and edit research documents to ensure accuracy and assist in preparing presentations for professional and academic conferences, as well as submissions to peer-reviewed journals. Maintaining the laboratory work areas, ordering supplies, and ensuring cleanliness and organization of the workspace are also essential duties of this position. This role is designed for individuals who are passionate about research and eager to contribute to the scientific community. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in a related field and have a foundational understanding of research techniques, particularly those involving human subjects. Wayne State University prides itself on fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, and the Research Assistant will play a vital role in upholding these values while contributing to impactful research initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and technical assistance to complete laboratory-based, clinical, or population science research under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• Assist in writing research protocols and manuscript preparation.
• Design and perform research protocols independently or as directed through training in specialized procedures.
• Perform laboratory-based scientific techniques or clinical/population science research.
• Recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates.
• Implement research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory, and protocol guidelines.
• Assist staff with experiments/research protocols as required.
• Communicate with the principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.
• Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes, and/or survey data.
• Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts, or tables to highlight key points of research results.
• Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.
• Assist the principal investigator with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data for presentations and journal submissions.
• Maintain the laboratory work areas, including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Order and organize required research supplies and records.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the work station.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field of study, preferred.
• Entry-level position requiring less than a year of job-related experience.
• Experience performing basic research techniques or interacting with human subjects, preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to analyze, summarize, and interpret research findings and data in reports and spreadsheets.
• Knowledge of scientific integrity principles.
• Excellent time management and organization skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with clinical research protocols.
• Knowledge of data analysis software.