The Research Assistant will support the Principal Investigator (PI) in executing field sampling, laboratory processing, and data organization for an externally funded research project establishing regional baseline hematological and biochemical profiles for dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). The candidate will be primarily responsible for handling camels, collecting morning blood samples across multiple physiological cohorts, running hematology analyses, preparing serum aliquots for biochemical profiling, and entering data for statistical modeling.

A. Animal Restraint & Field Blood Sampling
• Cohort Management: Coordinate and perform safe animal restraint and sampling across five defined camel groups (totaling 105 clinically healthy dromedaries) at the Animal Research Center in Muscat.
• Phlebotomy Protocol: Perform jugular vein punctures in the early morning prior to feeding, adhering strictly to veterinary welfare and aseptic standards6more_horiz.
• Sample Fractionation: Collect blood into two designated vacuum tube types:
o EDTA vacuum tubes for immediate whole-blood hematology.
o Plain vacuum tubes for clotting and serum extraction.
B. Laboratory Processing & Diagnostic Analysis
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Operate the automated hematology analyzer (Advia 2120i, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics) immediately after sampling to evaluate: White blood cell count (WBC), red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH).
• Serum Preparation & Preservation: Centrifuge plain tube blood samples at 1,200 g for 10 minutes, pipet off serum aliquots without erythrocyte contamination, and store them at -20°C until chemical evaluation.
• Clinical Biochemistry Testing: Support diagnostic runs on the automated chemistry analyzer (Synchron CX 9 PRO, Beckman Coulter) to quantify 20+ serum parameters:
o Liver & Muscle Enzymes: ALP, CK, GGT, AST (GOT), ALT (GPT), and LDH.
o Metabolites & Proteins: Albumin (ALB), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Total Protein (TP), Cholesterol, Triglycerides (TG), Creatinine, Glucose, and Total Bilirubin.
o Electrolytes & Minerals: Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Phosphorus (P), Chloride (Cl), Potassium (K), and Sodium (Na).
C. Data Management & Project Administration
• Record Keeping: Maintain organized sample logging sheets, cold-storage inventories, and analyzer output records.
• Biostatistics Entry: Digitize raw laboratory data into spreadsheets and statistical packages (GraphPad Prism) for comparative group analyses (p < 0.05).
• Inventory & Supplies: Monitor stocks of blood collection tubes, vacutainer needles, centrifuge vials, analyzer reagents, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Progress Documentation: Assist the PI in compiling milestone summaries and reporting required by A'Sharqiyah University and TRC/MOHERI.

 Experience:
o Direct, hands-on clinical or field experience handling large animals (specifically camels, ruminants, or equines).
o Demonstrated competency in venipuncture, catheter placement, animal calming techniques, and diagnostic sample handling.
o Familiarity with veterinary laboratory procedures, automated diagnostic analyzers, and sample preservation.

• Clinical Skills: Competence in camel restrainment, jugular phlebotomy, and biohazard containment.
• Diagnostic Equipment: Practical familiarity with hematology and clinical biochemistry analyzers (e.g., Advia and Beckman Coulter platforms).
• Data Tools: Working knowledge of spreadsheet tools and biostatistical software (GraphPad Prism).
• Soft Skills: Effective scientific communication, ethical animal handling, time management, and attention to detail during high-throughput sampling sessions.
• Languages: Proficiency in English and Arabic for technical documentation and local on-site communication.
• Primary Work Locations: Animal Research Center (Royal Court Affairs, Muscat) for field sampling/processing, and A’Sharqiyah University laboratories.
• Working Mode: Flexible / Task-based (sampling schedules require early morning presence before camel feeding shifts).
• Compensation: Remuneration governed by the guidelines of The Research Council (TRC) Block Funding Program for Research Assistants (hourly or monthly stipend schedule).
 

Required Qualifications and Experience
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM) or equivalent degree in Veterinary Laboratory Science.