Research Assistant Grade II/III

As the Research Assistant (RA Grade I–III), you will play a key role in supporting advanced cell culture and organoid-based research within NGNRI’s Cell Culture and Organoid Facility. This position is open to candidates at varying experience levels, with responsibilities tailored accordingly. The successful candidate will begin with hands-on training in a Henry Ford Health laboratory, gaining experience in stem cell culture, organoid systems, and experimental workflows. You will then transition to NGNRI to help establish and operate its in-house organoid platform. This is an opportunity to contribute directly to high-impact research, supporting the delivery of robust, reproducible experimental systems that drive discovery and therapeutic development. 

About the role 

• Perform routine and advanced mammalian cell culture, including maintenance of primary cells, stem cells, and derived cell types 

• Support generation, maintenance, and characterization of organoids and related 3D culture systems 

• Execute experimental protocols under supervision, including differentiation, treatment, and assay workflows 

• Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in accordance with NGNRI standards 

• Assist in optimization and standardization of protocols to improve reproducibility and scalability 

• Prepare reagents, media, and materials required for experiments 

• Perform basic quality control procedures (e.g., cell viability, contamination monitoring, morphological assessment) 

• Support implementation of laboratory organization, inventory management, and equipment maintenance 

• Collaborate with other platform teams (e.g., screening, genome engineering) as needed 

• Adhere to all biosafety, regulatory, and ethical guidelines 

During initial assignment at Henry Ford Health: 

• Participate in structured, hands-on training in organoid and stem cell methodologies 

• Learn and apply best practices in experimental design, execution, and documentation 

• Work closely with HFH scientists and staff to gain proficiency in relevant technologies 

• Demonstrate progressive independence and technical competency over the training period 

About you 

• High integrity and commitment to rigorous scientific standards 

• Eager to learn and develop new technical skills 

• Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented 

• Collaborative and team-oriented mindset 

• Adaptable and responsive to feedback 

• Motivated by contributing to meaningful biomedical research 

Preferred Qualifications

RA Grade II (Intermediate): 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with 1–3+ years of relevant laboratory experience 

• Minimum of 2 years hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture 

• Familiarity with sterile technique and basic cell-based assays 

• Ability to execute experiments with moderate independence 

RA Grade III (Advanced): 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with 3–5+ years of relevant experience 

• Proven experience with stem cell culture, organoids, or complex in vitro systems 

• Ability to troubleshoot experiments and optimize protocols 

• Demonstrated capability to work independently and support junior staff 

All Levels: 

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducibility 

• Maintain excellent organization and meticulous documentation of experimental procedures and results 

• Proficiency in both spoken and written English communication 

• Effective communication and teamwork abilities 

• Willingness to work in a dynamic, fast-paced research environment 

What you’ll get 

Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We’ve got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks. 

About us 

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery. 
 
Located within a new, state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms—including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies—and provides access to extensive shared core facilities. 
 
NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit’s rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science within a vibrant and expanding hub.

This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at [email protected].