Research Associate - Mellon College of Science - Biological Sciences — Pittsburgh, PA

The Mellon College of Science (MCS) is home to four departments and many programs and research centers that cross disciplines. We approach scientific problems from fresh angles using creative interdisciplinary approaches while drawing on our departmental strengths in the core sciences. MCS faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized for their research in a variety of fields, including polymer science, cosmology, mathematical finance, and neuroscience.

Our Biological Sciences department is seeking a Research Associate to join the team! In this role, you will support biology research projects involving molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, transcriptomics, and computational biology. This position will contribute to both wet-lab experimental workflows and bioinformatics analysis of high-throughput sequencing datasets

Core Responsibilities

• Perform molecular biology and genomics-related laboratory procedures according to established protocols, including sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, PCR-based assays, protein assays, cell culture support, bacterial culture, plasmid preparation, and related experimental workflows.
• Assist with animal and tissue-based research workflows, including mouse model support, mouse dissection, tissue collection, sample labeling and storage, and coordination of downstream molecular assays.
• Process, analyze, and interpret high-throughput sequencing datasets, including RNA-seq, Ribo-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and ATAC-seq data.
• Build, execute, and maintain reproducible computational workflows for quality control, read alignment, differential expression analysis, and data visualization.
• Generate figures, tables, written summaries, and presentation materials for laboratory meetings, research reports.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of experimental procedures, sequencing datasets, analysis scripts, computational results, and project documentation.
• Communicate research progress, technical issues, and analysis results clearly to supervisors and collaborators.
• Collaborate with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and other laboratory staff on interdisciplinary research projects.
• Support sequencing analysis related to gene expression and translational regulation.
• Analyze single-cell datasets to characterize cell populations and disease-related features.
• Develop and maintain reproducible analysis pipeline using R and Python.
• Use bioinformatics tools and computing environments such as IGV, Linux/Unix, and related software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Bioinformatics, Quantitative Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of research experience in a laboratory in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, or related biology research.
• Research experience involving wet-lab molecular biology, cell biology techniques and bioinformatics analysis of high-throughput sequencing data, such as RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, Ribo-seq, ATAC-seq, or alternative splicing analysis.
• Training or certification in laboratory safety, biosafety, and animal research is preferred.
• A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check

Location

Pittsburgh, PAJob Function

ResearchersPosition Type

Part timePay Basis

HourlyMore Information:

• Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
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• Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
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