Position Summary
This position is to direct all aspects of the NSF-sponsored SPEAR (Student Preparation in Engagement, Academics, and Research) Program, which is designed to help underrepresented minority students at local community colleges graduate from four-year institutions with degrees in STEM. The Research Specialist designs entry-level projects that train the students in experimental design, data collection, and data analysis, and oversees both their instruction and workflow. At the end of the summer, the Research Specialist works with the students to write project reports and present their work in a Stone lab group meeting. Throughout the Academic year, the Research Specialist will host regular tutoring sessions with the students to ensure that they maintain competitive GPAs and develop critical thinking and research skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

Research, program development and implementation

Conceptualize, initiate, and execute research goals for the Stone-lab study of cell-cell communication.

Develop research approaches and design data-collection protocols for the interns working on the project.

Plan pedagogical experiments involving recombinant DNA technology, molecular genetics, and live-cell fluorescent imaging

Supervise the summer research interns and their graduate-student mentors

Evaluate current developments and research findings to determine their potential applicability to research projects.

Develop new research approaches based on project needs. Advise on new direction for research based on experimental results.

Devise and implement the two-year SPEAR program curriculum

Provide academic and career support for program participants

Develop and implement strategies for student recruitment

Pursue professional development to expand knowledge in program areas

Plan and coordinate community engagement activities with high school partners

Program Activities

Provide reports, data, and analyses of program outcomes; assist with annual NSF progress reports

Contribute to manuscripts that include the interns’ results

Co-author a paper describing the SPEAR program with the PI

Advertise SPEAR intern positions throughout the Chicago-area community colleges

Screen yearly applicant pool

Interview and hire interns

Administrative Operations

Approve and submit timesheets for summer research interns

Place orders for lab and office supplies

Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.