Staff Scientist

ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S IS A TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE. FLU VACCINES ARE REQUIRED. ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. ALL QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, PROTECTED VETERAN STATUS OR ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS.

This position has been designated as safety sensitive and cannot be filled by a candidate who is a current user of medical marijuana.

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Work Shift:

Please see job description for details.

Time Type:

Full time

Department:

CC033020 Clinical Research Operations

Summary:

Staff Scientist- Pulmonary medicine

Oversees project implementation, assists with monitoring project progress, develops and manages operational databases, and ensures regulatory compliance. Contributes to grant proposal development, provides program administration support, and assists with preparing documentation that communicates research findings, project updates, or other relevant information to various audiences.

The Arkansas Children's Research Institute will be hiring a Staff Scientist for the Section of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. We are seeking individuals with a strong scientific background and expertise in scientific communication, writing, and conduct. Our team conducts innovative translational research which includes pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies in cystic fibrosis, as well as basic science approaches to understand the metabolism and transport of airway-targeted drugs.

Ideal candidates will have an advanced degree (Masters or PhD), experience and expertise with laboratory-based techniques, some exposure or experience in human subjects research including clinical research, scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, experience using statistical and/or graphics software to analyze and prepare data for publication, and experience with contributing to grant applications. Specific laboratory based techniques that are needed include the following: 1) cell culture including cell lines and primary cells 2) immunoblot 3) ELISA 4) fluorescent microscopy 5) immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence staining 6) protein quantitation 6) PCR, RT-PCR 7) electrophysiology especially experience or exposure to the use of Ussing chambers or similar techniques. Candidate should have experience with one or more software tools for generating figures (Biorender, Prism, Excel, etc) and experience with data analysis in Excel or other programs.

The candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience working within a team-based environment. This role will work under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Jennifer Guimbellot (Section Chief, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine) and participate in group project meetings with clinical research staff, laboratory staff, and other colleagues at Arkansas Children's Research Institute. The candidate will be required to work closely with trainees who participate in our project development, and will be required to directly oversee students and fellows, including managing evaluations and feedback.

Duties will include but are not limited to: project management and oversight, grant writing and editing, manuscript writing and editing, assistance with regulatory activities related to the research program, participation in financial reconciliation and budgetary meetings, website development in collaboration with the PI, and supervision of other members of the research program to include clinical research staff, laboratory technicians, post-doctoral researchers, students, and other trainees. In addition, there will be opportunities to attend relevant scientific meetings, facilitate social media engagement, and assist with community engagement and fundraising efforts for the research program.

Human subjects research training will be required.

Current and anticipated projects include:

• Optimization of CFTR modulator response in cystic fibrosis patients: Focused on natural variation in cytochrome P450 metabolism enzymes in the liver and airway epithelia to understand the delivery, metabolism and transport in epithelia for airway-targeted drugs (laboratory-based studies)
• Role of therapeutic drug monitoring to manage drug induced liver injury in CF: NIDDK P30-funded project focused on the potential association of CFTR modulator concentrations with drug induced liver injury, to include future studies on expression and activity of DMET proteins in liver and airway (laboratory-based studies)
• ELECTRA Pregnancy Study: NIH R01-funded project focused on concentrations of modulator therapy in pregnant people with cystic fibrosis or are having babies with cystic fibrosis, across all trimesters and post-partum, including long-term monitoring of childhood development for infants exposed to in utero modulator use. (primarily clinical research with opportunity for basic science approaches in future)
• Ensuring Access to Optimal Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis: ENACT Study: NIH R01-funded project focused on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variation for CFTR modulator therapy, identification of impactful novel pharmacogenetic variants contributing to variation in modulator therapy. (translational and clinical research with opportunity for basic science approaches in future)
• How Diet and Body Composition Impact Drug Absorption and Response- The DOMINO Study: evaluation of the association of dietary composition, body composition, with CFTR modulator concentrations (translational and clinical research with opportunity for basic science approachesin future)

Additional Information:

Required Education:

Doctoral Degree

Recommended Education:

Required Work Experience:

Recommended Work Experience:

Required Certifications:

Recommended Certifications:

Description

1. Works independently as part of a research project/program.

2. Under the direction of the Investigator, writes detailed protocols for the conduct of research and contributes to the design, interpretation and final writing of research publications.

3. Analyzes and evaluates experimental data and interprets results within the scope of work and in relation to the general research program. Prepares written reports on phases of laboratory work involved in research projects.

4. Keeps abreast of trends in field of interest by reading current research literature, abstracting scientific articles of value in the prosecution of research problems, and attending and presenting at scientific meetings, seminars and research conferences.

5. Gathers research materials, supplies, equipment and apparatus. Coordinates service support: repair of equipment, requisitioning of supplies and research materials. Selects procedures for data collection and handling; develops or utilizes computer programs for conversions and statistical analysis of data.

6. Participates in the training of research support staff, fellows, and students. Conducts initial training as well as continuous skill development of staff/trainees in laboratory techniques and instrumentation procedures, as needed. Counsels staff/trainees on minor technical problems; may advise and assist staff/trainees with special research projects. Manages research expenditures.

7. Assists in proposal development and in facilitating new directions for the lab. Works with PI to develop plans for personnel and resources. Performs procedures to ensure experimental validity and keeps appropriate records.

8. Other duties as assigned.