Laboratory Research Analyst

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Duchossois Family Institute (DFI) at the University of Chicago is using cutting-edge technologies and developing facilities to accelerate research and introduce novel interventions that optimize microbiome-mediated host defenses, with the goal of enhancing health. By developing new knowledge about the interactions between the human body and the microbiome, the DFI is breaking new ground that will lead to therapies that increase resistance to a wide range of diseases. We are seeking a Laboratory Research Analyst who is enthusiastic about the microbiome and translational research to join the Duchossois Family Institute (DFI) Biobank team. Under the Sr. Bioprocess development manager, the Laboratory Research Analyst primary responsibility will be culturing, organization, and distribution of commensal human gut bacteria comprising the DFI’s symbiotic strain bank. Additional responsibilities will include microbiological characterization of these strains, including animal models, towards process development for cGMP manufacturing as live biotherapeutics.

Requirements

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

College or University Degree in Microbiology, Chemical/Biological, or Biomedical Engineering.
Experience with basic laboratory techniques including nucleic acid extraction, purification, and PCR amplification.
Experience with aseptic technique to cultivate bacterial strains.
Experience working in anaerobic chambers and/or glove boxes highly preferred.
Experience processing and analyzing Sanger Sequencing results.
Experience with handling mice.
Experience with Windows-based operating systems and common software programs such as Microsoft Office suite and electronic lab notebooks (e.g. eLab).
Basic competency and familiarity with bioinformatics tools (e.g. R-script).
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and mathematical skills.
Strong multi-tasking and time-management capabilities.
Exceptional record keeping, organizational skills and attentiveness to details.
Mature, reliable, and professional demeanor.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Adaptability skills and the desire to learn.
Knowledge of regulatory policy and procedures.
Knowledge of relevant scientific disciplines.

Responsibilities

Maintains inventory of symbiotic strain bank including media preparation, aseptic/anaerobic culturing, quality control, and quantification (gram stain, CFU, PCR, microscopy, MALDI-TOF).
Physical and digital organization of strain bank inventory and distribution of strains to outside parties.
Assists senior staff with SPF and germ-free mouse colonization models including gavage, sample collection, dissection, and sacrifice.
Maintains laboratory equipment, such as anaerobic chambers, microbial plate readers, bioreactors, MALDI-TOF instruments, and microscopes, as well as ordering consumable inventory.
Documents, compiles, and interprets scientific data; authors protocols and operating procedures.
Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens.
Conducts literature reviews.
Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
Installs, sets up and performs experiments; interacting with students and other laboratory staff under the direction of the principal investigator.
Performs other related work as needed.