Research Assistant
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Posting Details
As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.
At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.
Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.
| Position Title | Research Assistant |
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| Position Control Number | T02284 |
| Type of Position | Temporary / Contract |
| Position Status | Temporary/Contract |
| Department | 1701-College of Veterinary Medicine |
| Campus | Western University Campus-Pomona, CA |
| Position Location | California |
| Job Summary |
Project Overview: Urban greenspaces in the San Gabriel Valley provide vital recreation for people and pets—but they also serve as habitats for wildlife that host ticks. These ticks may carry pathogens that pose serious health risks to both humans and animals. Surprisingly, there is limited data on tick populations and tickborne pathogens in the eastern San Gabriel Valley and broader Southern California region. This research project seeks to close that gap by using a novel tick-collection approach and a multiplex molecular assay to screen for several tickborne pathogens. The data generated will help determine what tick species are present in local greenspaces, what pathogens they may carry, and when the risk of exposure to these infections is greatest. Student Responsibilities: The selected undergraduate student will assist in various aspects of the research, including fieldwork, sample processing, and laboratory diagnostics. |
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We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.
We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally,
• Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success.
• Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment.
• Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community.
• As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences.
• WesternU’s core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do.
• We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!
| Minimum | $17.50 Hourly |
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| Maximum | $17.50 Hourly |
Physical Demands
| Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? | Yes |
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| If yes, list maximum weight and duration | The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to grasp laboratory objects, equipment and animals (if applicable). The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, and smell. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hand and arms, climb and stoop. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close and color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to monitor the various computer screens and instruments used during the physiological processes. |
| Describe Work Environment | The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are routinely performed in a typical laboratory setting. While performing duties in this setting the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold (non-weather), and risk of electric shock. The employee is regularly exposed to wet humid conditions (non-weather), moving mechanical parts, and high precarious places. The employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions, extreme heat (non-weather), and risk of radiation. The noise level in this setting may be loud due to the noise of ventilation system and hydraulic body hoist. |
| Posting Number | TC00485 |
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| Posting Date | 08/14/2025 |
| Close Date | |
| Open Until Filled | Yes |
To secure employment, successful fulfillment of a background check, including a criminal records check, may be required. Western University of Health Sciences will extend a conditional offer of employment, subject to rescission if the background check unveils disqualifying information or if it is found that the candidate deliberately withheld or misrepresented information. Non-completion of the background check to satisfaction may impact the ongoing employment of a current Western University of Health Sciences employee who received a conditional offer for the position.
Pay Transparency Act- Western University of Health Sciences is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers various factors in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The Expected Pay Scale is defined as the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Placement within the Expected Pay Scale is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.
It is the policy of Western University to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment as required by law without regard to age, race, color, national origin ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, sex or gender (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, disability (both physical and mental) including HIV and AIDS, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), pregnancy (which includes childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), age, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other applicable protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within WesternU including without limitation, hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoffs, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. WesternU makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merits, and business needs at the time.
Applicant Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Letter of Recommendation #1
- Letter of Recommendation #2
- Letter of Recommendation #3
Supplemental Questions
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