Assistant Researcher
Position Overview
The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is seeking a motivated Assistant Researcher to support ongoing laboratory studies in molecular and cellular mechanisms relevant to neurodegenerative disease. The successful candidate will assist with experimental work involving cell-based assays, protein analysis, tissue staining, data organization, and general laboratory operations.
The Assistant Researcher will work as part of a collaborative academic research laboratory focused on molecular biology, cellular physiology, and disease-related mechanisms. Responsibilities will include performing standard laboratory assays, maintaining cell cultures, preparing samples, documenting experimental results, and supporting day-to-day research activities under the direction of the principal investigator and senior laboratory staff.
The Assistant Researcher will work as part of a collaborative academic research laboratory focused on molecular biology, cellular physiology, and disease-related mechanisms. Responsibilities will include performing standard laboratory assays, maintaining cell cultures, preparing samples, documenting experimental results, and supporting day-to-day research activities under the direction of the principal investigator and senior laboratory staff.
Job Description
30% - Experimental Research activities
- Perform molecular and cellular biology experiments, including Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture.
- Organize and analyze basic experimental results.
- Maintain mammalian cell cultures using sterile technique.
- Prepare reagents, buffers, media, and experimental samples.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records and experimental documentation.
- Assist with imaging, sample processing, and data collection.
- Implementing R-coding of multiomic data
- Visualization and graphing key results
- Support general laboratory maintenance, including inventory, ordering, equipment upkeep, and compliance with institutional safety procedures.
- Work collaboratively with faculty, trainees, and other research staff.
Position Requirements
This position will be based in a university research laboratory. The role requires regular work with biological samples, cell culture systems, laboratory reagents, and standard molecular biology equipment. Training will be provided for laboratory-specific protocols and procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, cell biology, or a related field OR a High School Diploma and four (4) years of related experience.
- One (1) year of hands-on laboratory experience in molecular or cellular biology.
- One (1) year of experience with Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and cell culture techniques.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail as evidenced by application materials.
- Experience that required the ability to maintain accurate records and follow established laboratory protocols as evidenced by application materials.
- Experience that required the ability to work both independently and as part of a team as evidenced by application materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration, neuroscience, or related biomedical research areas as evidenced by application materials.
- Some coding or data-analysis experience in R as evidenced by application materials.
- Experience with microscopy, image analysis, protein quantification, or cell-based assays as evidenced by application materials.
- Experience working in an academic research environment as evidenced by application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete application consists of:
Application review begins Monday, August 10th. For consideration, please apply no later than Sunday, August 9th.
- A cover letter that describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
- A Resume or CV
- Contact information for three (3) professional references
Application review begins Monday, August 10th. For consideration, please apply no later than Sunday, August 9th.
Contact Information to Applicants
Jesse Wiley
jesse.wiley@ku.edu
jesse.wiley@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
Starting at $50,000, commensurate with experience
Application Review Begins
Monday August 10, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Monday August 24, 2026