Research Assistant - MCBS

CONTRACT TITLE

Research Assistant

FLSA

Non-exempt

CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The City University of New York (CUNY) School of Medicine (SoM) is the only medical school in the CUNY system. Our innovative curriculum allows students to complete both their undergraduate Bachelor of Science (BS) and Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees in seven years. CUNY SoM graduated its first MD class in 2020. In addition, the CUNY SoM offers a 28-months Physician Assistant (PA) program to prepare health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Our mission is 1) to provide access to medical education to talented youth from historically underrepresented in backgrounds in medicine and to develop health professionals committed to practicing in under-served communities and 2) to perform innovative research in community health and biomedicine.

The Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences (MCBS) was formed through the merger of several basic science departments and represents one of the four departments in the school (Community Health and Social Medicine, Medical Education, and Clinical Medicine). The department plays a critical role in our mission-driven BS/MD program and Physician Assistant program through the teaching of the basic science curriculum and by conducting extramurally funded research. The research agenda of the current members of the department is centered on neuroscience, microbiology and immunology, cardiovascular disease, and oncology.

The Mallikaratchy laboratory is seeking a research assistant with a specific focus on investigating the applicability of aptameric scaffolds in designing synthetic immunological modulators and other cellular modulators. The Mallikaratchy laboratory is a chemical biology and molecular targeting lab that apply multiple disciplinary approaches inclusive of SELEX technologies, bioinformatics, molecular and cell biology, molecular design, DNA nanotechnology, organic synthesis, immunology, and preclinical studies in collaboration with investigators at various institutions to discover novel functional synthetic nucleic acid ligands capable of modulating fundamental interactions pertaining to the immune system. The current team of highly interdisciplinary researchers consists of biochemists, organic and material chemists, and molecular biologists.

In addition to the CUNY Title Overview and above summer, duties will include but are not limited to:

• Conduct literature reviews and identify synthetic pathways for modified nucleic acid bases (DNA and RNA)
• Optimize synthesis protocols and scale-up procedures for producing modified RNA and DNA molecules
• Supervise Sophie Davis and/or CCNY students in bench work and laboratory techniques
• Collect, record, and analyze experimental data using basic statistical methods
• Collaborate with multiple research teams on innovative and interdisciplinary projects
• Provide regular progress updates and discuss results with the Principal Investigator
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external scientific conferences
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and manuscripts, with potential for first- and/or co-authorship on publications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience relevant to the research being performed.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED:

• Must be a current CUNY or RFCUNY Employee
• Ph.D. or related terminal degree.
• Synthetic organic chemistry experience
• Expertise in analytical methods such as HPLC, LC and column chromatography, LC-MS and NMR methods
• Experience with handing DNA/RNA synthesizer
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently, and willingness to learn new skills
• Strong organization and communication skills

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: $47,063 - $63,884

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

BENEFITS

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.

Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled. Review of resumes to begin on September 2, 2025.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

Location

CUNY School of Medicine

About CUNY School of Medicine

There is a continuing shortage of primary care physicians in this country, creating an urgent need for more family practitioners, general internists, pediatricians and obstetricians/gynecologists in many communities. The shortage of African-American, Hispanic, Native Americans and other underrepresented medical professionals in inner-city areas is particularly acute. Thus, recruiting and training a diverse workforce that represents the diversity of the patients being served in such communities is of utmost importance and ensures health equity across the continuum of care. Over forty years ago, CUNY and City College decided to make a difference by developing the most unique physician and physician assistant training programs in the nation – The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education. Since its founding in 1973, The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, now known as the CUNY School of Medicine/Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program continues its original mission to recruit underrepresented populations into medicine, increased medical services in underserved areas, and increased the availability of primary care physicians and physician assistants that reflect the divers...ity of our surrounding communities. This mission is currently served with an 85% enrollment rate of students from backgrounds that are Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM; e.g., African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American), greatly exceeding the current U.S. medical school average of 43%. The CUNY School of Medicine encompasses an innovative accelerated BS/MD program that combines a Bachelor of Science degree and an M.D. degree in seven years and a 28-month Physician Assistant Program that leads to a Masters degree in P.A. Studies and eligibility to take the physician assistant national certification examination (PANCE).

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