Entry Research Services Professional

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The School of Dental Medicine is seeking a full-time entry level Research Services Professional to join a research laboratory within the Department of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences. The successful candidate will be key contributor to supporting projects developing new dental materials and prosthetics with unique antimicrobial and antifungal characteristics that are expected to directly improve oral health. The multi-disciplinary research team consists of both basic science and clinical faculty poised to take advantage of novel technologies being developed at the Anschutz Medical Campus. This position will involve synthesis of monomers and polymers, analytical characterization of those materials and the formulation, polymerization and detailed evaluation of the polymeric materials developed in the lab. The laboratory-based research work includes assisting with the development and evaluation of robust, high-performance photocurable polymeric materials for a variety of applications including as biomaterials and 3D printing compositions. The position will also involve making bacterial culture media, culturing bacteria and quantifying bacteria.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science, bioengineering or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) with research team members.
Excellent organizational skills, record-keeping abilities and attention to detail.
Highly motivated and able to work as part of a team within a research laboratory environment.
Knowledge of basic laboratory techniques including safety procedures and techniques.
Ability to interpret and master complex research protocol information.
Ability to troubleshoot experiments.
Ability to be adaptable, flexible, and to think on your feet.
Supportive and conscientious work ethic.
Ability to follow direction of senior researchers in the lab, follow laboratory and department Standard Operating Procedures and department policies.

Nice To Haves

Six months to one year of experience conducting organic synthesis and characterization of small molecule compounds.
Six months to one year of experience working with polymers and application of 3D printed formulations.

Responsibilities

Prepare lab for daily operations, including stocking materials, equipment, safety, cleanliness, and related areas.
Perform formulation and well-controlled photopolymerization studies involving physically reinforced covalent network polymers with testing.
Comparisons between bulk photo-molded and 3D printed formulations along with determination of material-specific post-curing protocols.
Creation and sterilization of bacterial culture media.
Culturing BSL2 organisms in sterile media and quantifying their growth.
Assist in the preparation of reports and presentations based on the laboratory research work.
Utilize a variety of laboratory techniques required for research projects and prepare common solutions and stocks.
Perform experiments and tabulate and analyze research, including viscosity measurement, real-time conversion kinetic determination and a wide range mechanical property characterization.
Support laboratory research including preserving samples, completing sample preparation, documenting and communicating results in weekly lab meetings