The University of Iowa Department of Surgery is seeking a temporary Assistant Research Scientist to independently plan and manage research projects in support of Dr. Vikas Dudeja's Surgical Oncology research program. This individual will work with members of the lab and other collaborators to develop and apply advanced analytical techniques, staying abreast of relevant bodies of literature. He or she will also communicate results effectively in peer-reviewed journals, seminars and professional conferences.

Responsibilities Include:

• Perform experiments, simulations, or theoretical investigations. 

• Collect data and evaluate relevance of data. 

• Work independently on basic research tasks with oversight by Faculty or Principal Investigator (PI). 

• Contribute to documentation of procedures and protocols.

• Propose modifications to experimental techniques and protocols

• Analyze data for relevance and data integrity.

• Evaluate and recommend statistical algorithms for data analysis. 

• Perform basic data analysis techniques. 

• Implement and optimize computational data analysis procedures.  

• Compare results of scientific investigations to previously published work.

• Prepare manuscripts for contributing author for publication.

• Present results in departmental seminars and at professional meetings.

• Contribute to new and continuing research grant proposals to obtain funding for research activities.

• Contribute to progress reports required by funding agencies.

• Supervise adherence to safety and compliance guidelines when necessary.

• Provide service to the scientific community, University and General Public.

• Review submitted manuscripts and research proposals.

• Consult and collaborate with the research community.

• Participate in public outreach activities as required by funding sources.

• May participate in national and international meetings within the discipline.

• Mentor research assistants and undergraduates

• May provide functional and/or administrative supervision for staff.

• Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved.

Schedule: This position will work up to 40 hours/week between the hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Specific schedule will be based on laboratory and project need.

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Surgery is committed to saving lives and improving our patient's quality of life through excellent surgical techniques and extraordinary patient care. Our surgeons and medical professionals address a wide variety of complex medical issues, from matching donors with recipients in the Organ Transplant Center to providing continuous care for both adult and pediatric trauma victims in the state's only designated Level I Trauma Center and certified regional Burn Treatment Center.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in a biomedical or health science-related field.

• 3-5 years of postdoctoral experience in clinical or laboratory research

• 1 year of experience in immuno-oncological or translational cancer research

• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications

• Experience with laboratory animal experimentation

• Experience setting up, maintaining, and trouble-shooting experimental preparations

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills

Desired Qualifications:

• Expertise in ex vivo techniques in cancer biology (e.g., multi-color flow cytometry, magnet assisted cell sorting, etc.)

• Experience maintaining research animal colonies (e.g., breeding, weaning, etc.).

• Experience with cell culture and other molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, western blotting)

• Demonstrated experience mentoring research staff

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.