Research Associate II - Ziru Lab - MaineHealth Institute for Research

Description

Professional - Nonclinical
Req #: 68589

Position Summary:

As a ResearchAssociateII, you will perform a diverse range of laboratory procedures under the general supervision ofPrincipal Investigator,Ziru Li, or herdesignee.This Research AssociateIIwillconduct defined research projectswith overall responsibility forinception,implementationand reporting of results in a peer-reviewed forum.

Other responsibilities include:

• Conducting standard laboratory procedures and analyses using a variety of manual techniques and instrumentation to analyze experimental data.

• Maintaining logs and notebooks of all work-relatedactivitytoassistin the preparation of materials for grants and manuscripts.

• Examining animals and specimens and measuring or weighing compounds and solutions for testing.

• Following training expectations as defined byproject.

• Collaborating and communicating with internaland externallaboratory members to work effectively.

• Responsible for laboratory ordering,overseeingandparticipatingin lab maintenance, organizing lab activities, andassistingthe PI with administrative duties, including lab safety inspections and IACUC protocol amendments and annual reviews.

TheLiLaboratory atMaineHealth Institute for Researchis at the forefront ofmetabolic bone research.Our focus lies inanimal studies ofbariatric surgery-induced bone loss andthecellular interactions between bone marrow adipocytes and other bone cells.Here is asampleofourcurrentresearchprojects:

Gastric Endocrine Functions in Skeletal Homeostasis (R01-funded project 09/01/2025-08/31/2029):Bariatric surgery-associated skeletal complications have beenobservedsince the early 1990s, and lead to up to two-fold increase in fracture risk. The most common bariatric surgery is vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), which leads to ~3-7% bone loss at the axial skeleton after 6-24 months. Current clinical management includes bone mineral density assessments, consumption of adequate dietary calcium, vitamin D, and protein, and performance of weight-bearing exercise. These countermeasures minimize, but do not fully prevent bone loss secondary to bariatric surgery. A better mechanistic understanding of bone loss associated with bariatric surgery is necessary toproperly designand evaluate preventive and therapeutic strategies. We propose that gastric hormones contribute to bariatric surgery-induced skeletal complications. My group found gastric X/A-like cells (P/D1cellin humans), a unique endocrine cell population ,contributeto the regulation of global lipid metabolism, marrowadiposityand bone formation, suggesting a stomach-bone axis. Our goals are: 1) todeterminethe effects of gastric X/A-like cell-derived secretory factors on VSG-induced bone loss; and 2) toidentifyand characterize gastric hormones from X/A-like cells that regulate skeletal homeostasis.

This position is a fully onsite role at our Scarborough, ME research facility.

Position availability is contingent upon grant funding.

Consideration of applicantsfor a Research Associate IIIrole (MSdegree and 6 years ofdirectly relatedexperience)is also possible.

Learn more about the MaineHealth Institute for Researchin this short video!

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

1. Education: Bachelor's Degree in relevant field required. Master's Degree preferred.
2. License/Certifications: N/A
3. Experience: Four years of relevant experience with a Master's Degree or six years of experience with a Bachelor's Degree required. Demonstrates competency in all essential functions of Research Associate I role.

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Additional Information

If you have questions about this role, please contact lauren.robare@mainehealth.org