Review Vacancy
AgencyPeople With Developmental Disabilities, Office for
TitleResearch Scientist 1 - Neurochemistry
Occupational CategoryI.T. Engineering, Sciences
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $70951 to $89138 Annually
Duties Description POSITION DESCRITION:
The New York State Institute for Basic Research (IBR), the research arm of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, is seeking a qualified candidate to fill a Research Scientist 1/Laboratory Technologist position in the Neurochemistry Department. This is a full-time position for 40 hours per week.
NYS OPWDD IBR provides a professional setting in a world-renowned research facility located on Staten Island, NY, on a wooded, suburban campus with free off-street parking. Attendance at and participation in professional meetings and conferences is encouraged and financially supported, and publication fees in professional journals are supported through the agency budget. Telecommuting work plan is negotiable. The compensation package includes New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) insurance, a generous sick leave and vacation package, vesting in the NYS pension fund, and a deferred compensation plan. NYS benefits include tuition reimbursement and dental and optical coverage.
This researcher position gives an opportunity to work closely with the Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome research team in the Neurochemistry Department to study molecular mechanisms underlying and therapeutic strategies targeting neurodegeneration in Down syndrome as well as Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, especially the role of protein tau in disease pathogenesis.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES not limited to:
The position involves independent biochemical and histopathological experimentations on Alzheimer’s disease-related proteins, using biological samples/specimens from humans, animals and cell cultures.
• Conducting tissue homogenization, protein assay, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, immuno-dot blotting, and ELISA to quantitatively/semi-quantitatively analyze proteins of interest
• Dissecting frozen autopsied human brain tissue to harvest brain regions of interest for biochemical studies
• Performing ultracentrifugation and fractionation to isolate various tau species including hyperphosphorylated oligomeric tau for tau seeding/propagation studies in cells and in animal models
• Using negative staining electron microscopy and immuno-EM to characterize aggregated tau and amyloid tau assemblies
• Performing immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical staining of various tau species and other proteins of interest in cultured cells and tissue sections
• Providing technical assistance to other scientists of the team in running their projects which aim to assess the effect of preclinical therapeutic strategies targeting Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders and to investigate molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s pathogenesis
Additionally, the position involves management of laboratory essentials to ensure successful day-to-day running of projects for all laboratories of the research team in the Neurochemistry Department.
• Managing laboratory supplies and consumables
• Maintaining chemicals/reagents inventory
• Preparing and submitting purchase requisitions to ensure laboratory consumables, common reagents and other necessary supplies are ready for use
• Maintaining biological samples inventory
• Preparing, maintaining and replenishing common solutions
• Maintaining and periodically refilling cryo-storage tanks with liquid nitrogen to ensure proper storage conditions
The incumbent is expected to:
• Contribute to the institute’s activities and collaborate with other scientists within and outside of the institute
• Assist supervising research scientists in higher-level positions by participating in all phases of the research process including problem definition, planning, execution, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of findings
• Maintain a safe and clean environment in the laboratory
• Dispose of used chemicals and waste materials appropriately
• Store chemicals according to the manufacturer’s specifications
• Adhere to the research team’s quality control policies, and document all quality control activities, instruments and procedural calibrations, and maintenance performed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:
• At least one year of research experience in a similar field, specifically molecular mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s and Down syndrome
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Minimum Qualifications Non-Competitive:
Bachelor’s degree and two years of professional research experience** in an appropriate field.
Additional Comments • Please note that starting salary for this title reflects the Downstate adjustment. Posted Hiring Salary includes the sum of the statutory hiring rate for PS&T Grade 18 ($66,951) and Downstate adjustment ($4,000). Downstate adjustment is added to the job rate ($85,138).
• The assignment of PS&T employees will be made in accordance with any agreed upon Memorandum of Understanding between PEF and the local DDSO regarding the posting of job vacancies.
• Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume.
• All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility.
• If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit www.studentAid.gov/publicservice.
• Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA).
• If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at (518) 486-7222 or email accommodationrequests@opwdd.ny.gov to obtain information and RA forms.
• Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan.
• Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs.
• Life insurance and Disability insurance.
• The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.
• Paid Holidays and Leave:
° Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially.
° Five (5) days paid personal leave each year.
° Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year.
° Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events.
• Health Care Coverage:
Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost.
• Paid Parental Leave:
Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care.
• Retirement Program:
Participate in The NYS Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation.
• Professional Development and Education and Training:
NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/training-and-professional-development.
• Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit https://oer.ny.gov/public-service-workshops-program-pswp.
• OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
***All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.***
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.