Employment at TMCC

Student Research Assistant

Position Description: Student Research Assistant
Qualifications: TMCC student status
Opening Date: 9/1/04
Closing Date: None
Salary: Part time (10 hours per week), hourly stipend $9.00

Thank you for your interest. Please note that this description details all of the experience and abilities that you WILL have in the future, as a result of the training and instruction that you will be given. You will be paid for your time during this training period, and for any additional training that is required as you continue with the program.

Institutional Function:

This position is under the supervision of the Principal Investigator of the GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS AND PREECLAMPSIA grant, a subcontract of the University of North Dakota grant, RR-03-010, IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE).

Duties:

The scope of responsibility of the Student Research Assistant (SRA) will be to assist the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Lyle Best, in conducting a scientific investigation of possible genetic influences on the risk of developing preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Under the supervision of the PI and the Research Technician (RT), master the laboratory techniques necessary to perform PCR reactions, restriction enzyme digestions, electrophoresis of DNA fragments; staining of electrophoretic gels and interpretation of resulting genotypic patterns.
2. At the direction of the PI or RT, conduct the genotyping of samples collected for this research according to the directions of the PI;
3. Learn the proper use of computer databases, (eg. Excel, Access) and use them to record the results of the genotyping from #2 above.
4. Learn and adhere to proper standards for safe conduct of genetic experimentation, such as outlined above.
5. Learn and apply proper quality control measures in the laboratory.
6. Make up stock solutions (and other assignments, as directed by the PI or RT) needed for genotyping analyses.
7. Learn the ethical principles regarding research with human subjects, especially those concerning informed consent. The SRA will need to visit the prenatal clinic at Quentin Burdick Memorial Health Care Facility (QBMHCF) to counsel potential participants and collect specimens. The SRA will also be expected to visit potential study participants in their homes, if the participant so desires. Travel to participants’ homes may not be reimbursed.
8. Learn and strictly adhere to principles of confidentiality as applied to human subjects’ research information. Any violation of this principle will be grounds for immediate dismissal, without appeal. No hourly compensation.
9. Attend weekly training meetings with the PI to learn necessary skills and to receive direction for the coming week.
10. Prepare and present quarterly workshops (1-2 hour) to local TMCC students and via IVN on your current activities in the research project, and new skills/knowledge that you have learned.
11. Report on research activities and findings to tribal government and the health board at least yearly.
12. Attend field trips (up to twice a year, 1-2 days each) to neighboring research facilities, such as the genetics laboratory in Winnipeg, the Human Nutrition Lab in Grand Forks, etc. Travel and lodging will be provided by the program; but you will be paid your hourly stipend during actual travel time on these trips up to 8 hours/day.
13. Attend and participate in the TMCC Annual Research Conference (annual, 1-2 day).
14. Attend and participate during visits from INMED and other student programs (annual, 1-2 day).
15. Assist in the preparation of scientific manuscripts describing the results of this research effort;
16. Act as a role model and mentor for TMCC students, no hourly compensation.
17. Provide suggestions and feedback to the PI regarding the research program and the SRA learning experience, no hourly compensation.

Please Note: You will receive hourly compensation for all of these activities, except as mentioned above.

To apply, please submit the following:

1. A resume and brief (one or two paragraph) description of why you would like to work on this project.
2. Xerox copy of grades from most recent academic year.
3. Degree of Indian blood.
4. A letter of reference.
5. Contact information for 2 additional references.
6. Times that would be convenient for an interview.

Information may be submitted to:

Dr. Lyle Best
RR1, Box 88
Rolette, ND 58366
701-246-3884
sbest@utma.com

or

Melanie Nadeau
Research Technician
Turtle Mountain Community College, Room 110
701-477-7961
mnadeau5642@tm.edu

*Turtle Mountain Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.