Research Associate II - Allen Lab - Lung Institute / Department of Medicine

We invite you to consider this great opportunity!

Why does aging simultaneously impair host defense while increasing susceptibility to inflammatory disease? How do tissue-resident stromal cells and prior environmental exposures reshape immune function over the lifespan?

Dr. Nancy Allen invites you to consider this Research Associate II opportunity to join her dynamic team!

About the Team

Our lab studies how the lung parenchyma shapes immune responses, with a particular focus on how aging alters these interactions. Building on prior work defining stromal–immune circuits that drive inflammatory T cell responses in the aged lung (Allen et al., Immunity, 2026), we aim to further dissect how these interactions maintain tissue homeostasis and contribute to disease.

The Allen Lab is a new lab opening at Cedars-Sinai this Fall and is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate II to join the team. To learn more, please visit this website.

About the Role

This position involves participation in multiple aspects of the research process, including experimental design, data generation, and reporting of findings. Due to the time required for training in laboratory-specific protocols, a two-year commitment is required.

Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate II performs routine and increasingly complex laboratory tasks and procedures and develops technical expertise in one or more areas relevant to research projects. The incumbent will participate in research activities involving all aspects of the research process, to include, but not limited to; investigation, technical, testing/validation of results, and report findings. The RA II lab member will perform a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of laboratory research projects. The Associate will observe and follow safety standards and procedures, assist in preparation of data for publication and/or presentation at scholarly meetings, and assist in general laboratory maintenance. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs new complex or unusual protocols and techniques.
• Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, and assist in identifying and troubleshooting of unexpected results.
• Orders laboratory supplies and supports laboratory operations.
• Maintains lab equipment and related records and may coordinate use of lab equipment.
• Assists in the operation of specialized equipment, as required by the area of research.
• Orients research laboratory assistants or lower level research associates and undergraduate student researchers on day-to-day lab operations and routine procedures.

Department-Specific Duties:

• Designing and executing molecular and cellular biology experiments (e.g., PCR, protein extraction, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry).
• Performing and optimizing in vivo experiments, including animal handling, genotyping, and experimental procedures.
• Analyzing and validating experimental results, and assisting in data interpretation.
• Contributing to the preparation of figures, presentations, and manuscripts.
• Assisting with general laboratory operations, including reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, and inventory management.
• Maintaining accurate experimental records and adhering to laboratory safety protocols.

Education, Experience, and Skills Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences is required.
• One year of research laboratory experience is required.
• Understanding of general research objectives and experience with routine laboratory procedures and experimental protocols.
• Must possess digital literacy.