Job Description

Grow your career at Cedars-Sinai!

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has been named to the Honor Roll in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2025-2026” rankings. When you join our team, you’ll have access to groundbreaking biomedical research facilities and world-class medical education programs. We take pride in hiring exceptional, dedicated professionals who are passionate about advancing healthcare. Our physicians, nurses, and staff reflect the culturally and ethnically diverse communities we serve and are united by a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that drives innovation and supports the gold standard of patient care.

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?

The Smidt Heart Institute reflects Cedars-Sinai's steadfast dedication to heart disease and research innovation giving patients access to the highest level of care. Year after year, thousands of people trust their hearts to Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. Our cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and specialized care teams treat the full spectrum of heart disease and disorders, while our investigators continue to advance the field with groundbreaking, life-saving research. From genetic counseling and targeted drug therapies to an increasing array of minimally invasive procedures, Cedars-Sinai continues to stand at the forefront of technology, innovation and discovery improving patient outcomes.

We are seeking a Research Associate to join the lab led by Dr. David Lefer, Director of Translational Research in the Department of Cardiac Surgery in the Smidt Heart Institute.

What will you be doing in this role?

The Research Associate I will conduct routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the goals of one or more laboratory research projects in a specialized research area. Responsibilities include assisting with general laboratory tasks such as reagent upkeep and supply stocking. Filing and monitoring documents. Keeping accurate, detailed records of experiments and outcomes. The Research Associate I aids in operating specialized equipment and machinery, following safety protocols. The role requires performing routine cellular, micro-, and molecular biology techniques including Western and Northern blots, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, protein extraction, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, and staining. There are no supervisory duties in this position. The associate also conducts routine molecular biology and biochemistry assays like immunohistochemistry, microscopy, western blots, ELISA, histology, and manages related data analysis. The ideal candidate is independent, precise, and experienced with animal models and mammalian tissue culture. The individual will work efficiently alone and within a team of faculty, research scientists, and associates. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, coordination of experiments, and data preparation for publication are encouraged. Attendance at lab meetings, maintaining laboratory notebooks, performing calculations, tabulating data, and summarizing experimental methods and results are expected. Additional duties include ordering supplies, maintaining inventories, preparing chemical solutions and culture media, keeping the lab clean, and other assigned tasks.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs a variety of routine laboratory tasks and procedures.
• Maintains detailed and comprehensive records of experiments and their results.
• May assist with animal husbandry.
• Keeps lab equipment in good condition and manages associated records.
• Transports, processes and logs samples.
• Maintains computer database with relevant clinical information.
• Performs lab maintenance duties, including glassware cleaning and sterilization.
• Keeps inventory of general lab materials, and arranges orders for lab equipment and supplies.
• Assists new students and fellows at the laboratory.
• Assists in the operation of specialized equipment and machinery.
• Observes and complies with safety standards and procedures.
• Managing rodent animal studies including initiating the study, collecting functional readouts, collecting tissue, and sample preparation.
• Preparation of research-grade therapeutic RNA formulations for in vivo and in vitro testing.
• Making detailed observations, planning, and assisting with data collection, data analysis, writing and disseminating production results.
• Carrying out various standard experimental protocols and procedures to support the goals of one or more laboratory research projects.
• Participating in weekly lab meetings and reporting data results.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Biological Science is required.

Experience and Skills:

• No experience required. 1 year of clinical research experience preferred.