Research Lab Technician II

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Rao Lab at the University of Southern California (USC) Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences is seeking a highly organized Research Lab Technician II for the Quantitative Disease and Drug Modeling Center for the Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy. The Research Lab Technician II position will conduct research experiments that focus on designing and optimizing new treatment regimens that are effective against highly resistant bacterial pathogens. The goals of the Rao lab are to gain mechanistic understanding about antibiotic-bacteria-host interactions to design new therapeutic regimens effective against multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogens including Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. We focus on using in vitro as well as in vivo models of infections to optimize antibiotic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics against these highly resistant pathogens. Additionally, we employ multi-disciplinary techniques in our research using aspects of microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, pharmacometrics and systems biology to pursue our goals.

Requirements

Associate's degree, Specialized/technical training, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
2 years of experience
Working knowledge of laboratory equipment and research protocols.
Knowledge of computer analysis techniques.
Proficiency in all standard Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook).
Attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal communications.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related science field.
Experience in a lab setting, preferably in microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, pharmacology or pharmaceutical sciences.
Keen desire to work with bacteria and phage.
Keen desire to handle rodents.
Strong organizational skills/experience.
Aptitude to work independently.
Ability to quickly learn new methods and concepts.
Knowledge or experience in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling using tools like R, ADAPT and NONMEM.

Responsibilities

Conduct research experiments that focus on designing and optimizing new treatment regimens that are effective against highly resistant bacterial pathogens.
Gain mechanistic understanding about antibiotic-bacteria-host interactions to design new therapeutic regimens effective against multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogens.
Use in vitro as well as in vivo models of infections to optimize antibiotic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics against highly resistant pathogens.
Employ multi-disciplinary techniques in research using aspects of microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, pharmacometrics and systems biology.
Handle bacteria and phage.
Handle rodents.
Conduct related research experiments.
Perform data collection and management.
Provide routine analysis and interpretation of research data.