Job Description

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors  

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati 

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 350,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called “the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $88.8 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu. 

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.

Job Overview

As one of the oldest medical schools in the country, the UC College of Medicine has a reputation for training best-in-class health care professionals and developing cutting-edge procedures and research that improve the health and clinical care of patients.

A full-time Research Assistant position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Igal Ifergan, ideal for candidates with training in immunology and experience in neuroinflammation or cellular immunology. Dr. Ifergan’s laboratory is located within the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. The lab is focused on understanding the role of immune cells in brain inflammation, with relevance to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and frontotemporal dementia.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative and dynamic research team and contribute to ongoing projects by performing a variety of experimental techniques, including tissue culture of primary and immortalized cells, molecular biology techniques such as PCR, Western blotting, and cloning, flow cytometry for immune cell phenotyping, immunohistochemistry and microscopy, as well as protein analysis and other biochemical assays. The candidate must be comfortable working with mice, including handling, dissection, and tissue processing, and with human blood samples, including processing and isolation of immune cells. This role requires attention to detail, the ability to follow protocols, and the capacity to contribute to scientific discussions and experimental planning.

The Research Assistant will also help coordinate laboratory operations and may make independent scientific contributions based on their training and experience.

Essential Functions

• Perform tissue culture of primary and immortalized cells.
• Conduct molecular biology experiments, including PCR, Western blotting, and cloning.
• Analyze immune cells using flow cytometry.
• Perform immunohistochemistry and microscopy on tissue samples.
• Carry out protein analysis and other biochemical assays.
• Process and analyze human blood samples, including immune cell isolation.
• Handle, dissect, and process tissues from mice in accordance with institutional animal care protocols.
• Maintain detailed experimental records and assist with data analysis and interpretation.
• Follow established protocols and assist in developing new experimental procedures.
• Coordinate day-to-day laboratory activities, including inventory management and ordering supplies.
• Participate in lab meetings and contribute to the planning and troubleshooting of experiments.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and laboratory best practices

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Immunology, Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or related biological science field OR Associate’s degree in a related field with two (2) years of relevant research experience OR Four (4) years of relevant research experience and/or specialized training in lieu of education requirement.
• Experience must be in research coordination or a laboratory setting related to biological sciences.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Previous tissue culture experience is ideal.
• Experience with mice work, flow cytometry is ideal.
• Ability to interact and oversee/mentor junior scientist is ideal.
• Master’s degree in a related field is a plus.
• Candidates must be highly organized and detail oriented as it will be necessary to accurately and effectively record and analyze data.
• Prior experience in an academic laboratory setting, especially with neuroinflammatory models, is strongly encouraged.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Sitting - Continuously
• Repetitive hand motion (such as typing) - Often
• Hearing, listening - Often
• Talking - Often
• Standing - Often
• Walking - Often
• Bending - Often
• Stooping - Often
• Lifting - up to 20 pounds - Often
• Kneeling, squatting - Seldom
• Noise: There is sufficient noise to cause you to shout in order to be heard above the noise level.
• Hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts of machinery or tools used to perform work, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals.
• Atmospheric Conditions: Conditions that affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. ( UC Benefits Link ) Highlights include:

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

Vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)

6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities

To learn more about why UC is a great place to work, please visit our careers page at 

UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process. A list of acceptable documents can be seen here: 

Important : To apply you must create a profile and submit a complete job application through the UC applicant portal. We are unable to consider “easy apply” applications submitted via other websites. For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at  jobs@uc.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.

REQ: 99666 

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