Research Associate

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Overview

Research Associate will be involved in projects aimed broadly at understanding tick-host-pathogen interactions with a focus on the Lyme disease agent. The ultimate goal is to utilize this knowledge to develop new strategies to prevent tick transmission  of pathogens and to interrupt the tick life cycle. The study will utilize mouse and guinea pig models of tick feeding towards these goals. The Res Associate will be responsible for the following tasks:

Train in animal handling, tick rearing and maintenance of ticks using both murine, and guinea pig models of tick feeding. 

Isolate RNA and DNA from ticks and from murine and guinea pig skin tissues.

Perform quantitative PCR reactions to determine gene expression profiles. 

Isolate and purify recombinant proteins in  E.coli or Drosophila expression systems, perform ELISA and western blots for serological evaluation.

Maintain animals (mice and guinea pigs), draw blood from mice or guinea pigs as warranted by the experiment, perform routine anesthetization and euthanization of animals as warranted and approved by the IACUC protocols .

Meticulously maintain lab note books to record all experiments, animal and tick inventories.

Routine lab chores including ordering of supplies, cleaning of glassware, ensuring good lab practices, clean bench and workspace, and maintenance of liquid nitrogen tanks and tick incubators. 

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proven experience handling mice, anesthetization, blood drawing and should be prepared to train with the guinea pig model.

2. DNA/RNA extraction from animal tissues, cell lines, blood, PCR assays, QPCR, and RT-PCR.

3. Protein purification, ELISA and western blot assays.

4. Routine lab maintenance (supplies order, inventories of animals, and reagents), lab record maintenance of experiment details and documentation of results. 

5. Basic skills in word, and power point.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. M.S in any discipline, with extensive experience in biological sciences and molecular techniques.

Required Trainings and Certifications

1. Animal care and use facilities training, Laboratory Safety program,
Blood-borne pathogens for Lab Employees, Biomedical Waste Packaging Program, Harassment Prevention program.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Designs, plans, implements and evaluates complex multifaceted research projects/systems, including method development, adaptation and validation. 2. Collaborates with PI to define research endeavors and the development of research hypothesis and approach. 3. Solves complex methodology, protocol, procedural and research problems through design of techniques, procedures and policies that will achieve research goals. 4. Develops long range plans for supplies and equipment to ensure smooth operation of laboratory. 5. Investigates, analyzes and evaluates complex data, data collection systems and methods to reach scientific conclusions and ensures the integrity of research data. 6. Collaborates with PI to coordinate major lab renovations working with Facilities, Health and Safety, and Purchasing to ensure deadlines, safety standards and purchases are according to plans and within budgets. 7. Prepares scientific reports and papers for research proposals and published reports. 8. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Master’s Degree in a scientific discipline and three years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Posting Date

09/15/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Clinical & Research

Compensation Grade Profile

Research Associate 2 MS (24)

Salary Range

$68,000.00 - $120,500.00

Time Type

Part time

Duration Type

Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.