<p>The Department for Investigative Medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) invites applications for a graduate student position (Ph.D. program) in the laboratory of Hiroyuki Hirakawa. Graduate student conducts basic research in stem cell biology and immunology to address key questions related to the bone marrow microenvironment. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to complete a dissertation in WMed.</p> <p>Tuition and stipend will be provided based on experience and accomplishments.</p> <p>To share this posting, please use this link.</p> <p>About the Center for Immunobiology:</p> <p>The Hirakawa Lab is located within the Center for Investigative Medicine within the Department of Investigative Medicine. The Center is endowed with the latest instrumentation to speed research discovery. Common equipment includes flow cytometers (BD Influx, BD Melody, Cytek Aurora CS, BD Fortessa, Thermo Fisher Attune), a Nikon confocal microscope, Illumina MySeq and Applied Biosystems SeqStudio (Sanger) sequencers, a QuantStudio 3D digital PCR cycler, a QuantStudio 3 RealTime PCR cycler, a Bio-Rad FPLC system, a Bio-Rad gel doc system, a CTL multi-spectral ELISPOT reader, a BioTek visible/fluorescence/bioluminescence microplate reader, a BioTek microplate washer, 2 speedvacs, several bacterial incubator shakers, and ultra-, superspeed, and cytospin centrifuges, among other items. In addition to the Flow Cytometry and Imaging Core, the Equipment Core, and the Sequencing Core, three separate, fully equipped common rooms are outfitted for BL2, radioisotope, and tissue culture work. Additional separate rooms house core equipment, freezers, and an X-ray developer. The Center floor includes a cold room, a conference room, and a break room. The animal facility is located on the same floor and contains a PXi X-RAD 320 irradiator and a BL2 room for in vivo work with infectious agents. Support for the Center includes a flow cytometer/cell sorter/imaging core manager, an equipment specialist, and a business and operations manager</p> <p>BENEFITS:</p> <ul> <li>Wellness Reimbursement. </li><li>Continuing Education and Tuition Reimbursement. </li><li>Employer-funded retirement plan. </li><li>Two medical plan options: PPO and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with employer HSA contribution. </li><li>Flexible work solutions based on position and department. </li><li>Up to four weeks of PTO accrual beginning in year one. </li><li>Paid holidays. </li><li>Paid volunteer time. </li><li>Paid preferred holiday. </li></ul> <p>DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Communicates problems or matters of a scientific, technical and/or administrative nature within the department and interdepartmentally utilizing computer technology.</p> </li><li> <p>Conducts research and assists in the conduct of research.</p> </li><li> <p>Analyzes data and interprets results to write reports and summaries of findings.</p> </li><li> <p>Maintains accurate records of tests conducted, results, data and patients tested.</p> </li><li> <p>Organizes and prioritizes work to meet specific goals and accomplishments.</p> </li><li> <p>Assists supervisor and lab members in the development of technical procedures and protocols.</p> </li><li> <p>Maintains clean and efficient work area and replenishes supplies as necessary.</p> </li><li> <p>Availability to work occasional overtime on weekends or evenings to complete time sensitive projects.</p> </li><li> <p>Acquires knowledge for new technology and policy/procedure revisions.</p> </li><li> <p>All other duties as assigned.</p> </li></ul> <p>To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.</p> <p>EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:</p> <ul> <li>B.S. or B.A. degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related field is required. </li><li>Applicant must be admitted to the Ph.D. program in Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University under the supervision of Dr. Hirakawa. Since the program does not require laboratory rotations, the successful applicant participates in the Hirakawa Lab starting in the first year. </li></ul> <p>OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:</p> <ul> <li>Desirable but not required skills include experience with sterile tissue culture, flow cytometric analysis, RNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, and molecular cloning. </li></ul>