Senior Staff Scientist, Gerontology

Overview

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Research Staff Scientist holds a non-faculty position of scientific and management leadership. This position requires a highly specialized research skills or scientific responsibility of an advanced nature. The incumbent has achieved recognition of leadership national or internally, as a result from either original developments or original scientific research. The Sr. Research Staff Scientist supervises Technical staff, Postdoctoral Fellows, Associate Staff Scientists and may include training, guidance in definition of facility development or research, performance evaluation, as well as recommendation on salaries, hiring, and terminations.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Terminal doctoral degree in related scientific areas with six years' experience as an Associate or Staff Scientist within the department to be served; or, equivalent professional experience at a similar institution.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Oversees day-to-day laboratory activities and performs routine and highly specialized or unique laboratory tests for specific research projects. Ensures that all laboratory procedures are performed in adherence with applicable regulations.
2. Performs and devises specialized tests and research procedures, troubleshooting problems with their own and other researchers' results.
3. Manages research projects and ensures timely progress of research projects, identifies areas of technical difficulty, and provides solutions. Evaluates progress of research projects and assesses validity of research data.
4. Provides input to the overall research design, evaluates research data, and initiates alternative approaches to improve quality of the results. Evaluates the quality of research outcomes and ensures that all laboratory procedures are performed properly.
5. Trains and provides guidance to technicians, interns, and researchers in specialized procedures, use of equipment, and theoretical basis of unique tests.
6. Prepares articles, manuscripts, reports, and documents that relate to projects and participates in professional activities that relate to the research.
7. Participates in grant proposal planning and writing and develops own research projects.
8. Assists with the writing, planning, development, implementation, evaluation, reporting, and completion of the practical aspects of the projects.
9. Responsible for specific areas of research or methodology development and user support.
10. Supervises Associate Staff Scientists, Technicians, Post-doctoral Fellows, and Graduate Students and assists in performance evaluation of Associate and Staff Scientists, as well as recommendation on salaries, hiring, and termination.
11. Guides in definition of facilities development.
12. Guides and develops novel research pathways.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated leadership ability as a principal investigator or research project manager
• Ability to develop and follow research methodology and protocol
• Ability to plan, develop and coordinate multiple projects
• Ability to participate in long-range research planning
• Ability to apply diversified knowledge of scientific research principles, practices, and protocols in research projects
• Demonstrated ability to make recommendations and conclusions which serve as the basis for decision making in a specialty area
• Ability to conduct systematic analysis and develop solutions to complex scientific research
• Ability to develop scientific reports and manuscripts/articles/documents based on original research
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and publish self-initiated research
• Excellent oral, written, listening, and interpersonal communication skills
• Knowledge of grants and contract preparation and management
• Comprehensive knowledge of scientific concepts and theories in area of specialty
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment
• Knowledge of the maintenance of routine records and reports

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Research laboratory environment
• Exposure to chemicals
• Exposure to glass and other breakable objects
• Possible exposure to animals
• Possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens
• May be required to work hours beyond typical 8 a.m.-5 p.m. schedule and/or evenings and weekends as needed