Research Technician III

University of Rochester • City of Rochester, NY

70d • $22 - $31 • Onsite

About The Position

The laboratory’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms and treatments of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis. Performs research laboratory assignments involving some variety in accordance with standard practices and procedures. The candidate will be responsible for maintaining the colonies of transgenic and knockout mouse, breeding of mice, record-keeping, animal protocols submissions/modifications, working closely with Vivarium and DLAM staff, cigarette smoke inhalation exposure to mice, carrying out the laboratory experiments in vitro cell culture and in vivo (cigarette smoke, e-cigarette and waterpipe/hookah exposure to mice and procedures) and assisting several technicians and fellows in the laboratory, in addition to managing all aspects of animal protocols and laboratory work from data generation to data analysis. Responsibilities include placing orders for animals and lab supplies, scheduled maintenance for lab instruments, oversight and routine biochemical and molecular biological assays. Responsibilities will also include: engaging in experimental design and independent execution of above methods/protocols/assays; overseeing general laboratory functions such as inventory and ordering of supplies; and training of new laboratory personnel in fundamental lab techniques. Work with students and fellows/coordinators on basic and clinical research projects in collecting biological samples and perform experiments and assays (cell biology, biochemical and molecular biology techniques) in cells and biological tissues. Execution of experiments will require proficiency in cell and molecular biology techniques including, but not limited to: RNA isolation, quantitative PCR, DNA cloning and expression, as well as cell culture, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Plans and conducts standardized technical procedures and lab experiments. Keep track of Institutional Biosafety Committee approvals, EH&S, IRB/RSRB and DLAM training and annual updates for laboratory personnel and compliance. Co-ordination of clinical studies with clinical research center and the lab, assist in subjects recruitment and collection of biological samples. Weekend work will be required at times, based upon experimental schedules. Interest in and willingness to learn new techniques are essential job components. This position is ideal for a motivated and independent research personnel who is keen to learn new techniques/research and involve in scientific publications. Overall, it is anticipated that the technical III will be able to independently coordinate several projects simultaneously, oversee laboratory protocols/experiments, as well as train new laboratory members, including students, postdoctoral fellows and other technicians on laboratory SOPs.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED and 5 years experience with performing basic sampling, monitoring or research activities; compiling and collecting data and preparing reports required
• Experience in animal (mouse) work and cell culture work with handling multi-tasks.
• Experience in routine biochemical and molecular biological techniques, and practical laboratory and animal experience are desirable
• Knowledge of OSHA safety requirements and scientific methods required
• Experiential knowledge of the workings of an academic research laboratory, including general knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology methods.
• Prior experience in handling research animals, tissue culture, molecular and cell biology methodology and/or knowledge of immunologically-based techniques are desired
• Must be willing to work with human biological samples, handling animals (mice) and animal tissues preferred
• Prior experience working with human biological samples preferred

Nice To Haves

• Associate's degree in Health Science, Biology, Chemistry or other science related field of study preferred
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Microscopy skills are beneficial
• Ability to work independently and the capacity to design, organize, and analyze experimental data that serves as an invaluable tool in the publication of papers in scientific journals and obtaining future funding preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including written communication preferred
• Good organizational skills, ability to use good judgment, and demonstrate attention to detail are necessary preferred

Responsibilities

• Maintaining the colonies of transgenic and knockout mice, breeding of mice, record-keeping, animal protocols submissions/modifications, working closely with Vivarium and DLAM staff, cigarette smoke inhalation exposure to mice, carrying out the laboratory experiments in vitro cell culture and in vivo (cigarette smoke, e-cigarette and waterpipe/hookah exposure to mice and procedures) and assisting several technicians and fellows in the laboratory, in addition to managing all aspects of animal protocols and laboratory work from data generation to data analysis.
• Placing orders for animals and lab supplies, scheduled maintenance for lab instruments, oversight and routine biochemical and molecular biological assays.
• Engaging in experimental design and independent execution of above methods/protocols/assays.
• Overseeing general laboratory functions such as inventory and ordering of supplies.
• Training of new laboratory personnel in fundamental lab techniques.
• Working with students and fellows/coordinators on basic and clinical research projects in collecting biological samples and performing experiments and assays (cell biology, biochemical and molecular biology techniques) in cells and biological tissues.
• Executing experiments requiring proficiency in cell and molecular biology techniques including, but not limited to: RNA isolation, quantitative PCR, DNA cloning and expression, as well as cell culture, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry.
• Planning and conducting standardized technical procedures and lab experiments.
• Keeping track of Institutional Biosafety Committee approvals, EH&S, IRB/RSRB and DLAM training and annual updates for laboratory personnel and compliance.
• Coordinating clinical studies with clinical research center and the lab, assisting in subjects recruitment and collection of biological samples.
• Weekend work will be required at times, based upon experimental schedules.
• Independently coordinating several projects simultaneously, overseeing laboratory protocols/experiments, as well as training new laboratory members, including students, postdoctoral fellows and other technicians on laboratory SOPs.
• Performing Western blotting, immunostaining, lung function measurements experiments, ELISA, Northern blotting, ribonuclease protection assays, tissue section staining, Diff-Quick staining, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization.
• Performing RNA isolation and DNA isolation, ChIP assay, EMSA (gel shift assay), RT-PCR, restriction enzyme digests, plasmid purification and extraction, analyzing results and record keeping.
• Performing new experiments and assays in cells and tissues.
• Assisting and training undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to learn and perform assays, routine techniques/methods, and procedures for their experiments.
• Working independently with only occasional suggestions to modify, vary or adapt standard laboratory procedures to perform research-related activities to meet the specialized needs of the research projects of the Principal Investigator.
• Maintaining the colonies of transgenic and knockout mice: Breeding of mice, record-keeping, animal protocols submissions/modifications, working closely with Vivarium and DLAM staffs, cigarette smoke inhalation exposure to mice and carrying out the laboratory experiments in vitro and in vivo (cigarette smoke exposure to mice) exposing cigarette smoke to mice, preparing cigarette smoke extracts.
• Animal Care: animal cigarette smoke exposures and inhalation (oral, s.c., i.m., i.v., or i.p.), lung and heart removal, dissection and tissue preparation.
• Maintaining UCAR paperwork/protocols, ordering new rodents, checking animals daily, oversight of DLAM for their maintenance of one animal room.
• Keeping track of various training and annual updates for all laboratory personnel so that the labs are in compliance with these offices.
• Ensuring all other laboratory personnel are up-to-date on required laboratory and animal usage training.
• Coordinating of clinical studies with clinical research center and the lab, assisting in subjects recruitment and collection of biological samples.
• Picking up samples from Clinical Research Labs and processing for analyses.
• Ordering equipment and laboratory supplies, setting up experiments, cleaning and performing routine maintenance on equipment.
• Filing of order forms, keeping schedule for equipment maintenance, maintenance of computer records for lab and equipment, maintenance of chemical inventory, autoclave items, interacting with sales representatives, some cleaning and storing of glassware, oversight and record keeping for hazardous waste disposal.
• Setting up and operating equipment or instrumentation.
• Overseeing and maintaining the laboratory.
• Maintaining laboratory supplies and inventories (chemicals, animals and equipment).
• Serving in a managerial role to maintain laboratory inventory and address needs for instrument repair.
• Planning and overseeing non-survival specimen collections from rodents.
• Independently utilizing UCAR-approved and scientifically appropriate euthanasia methods followed by tissue collection.
• Supervising and training other members of the laboratory, including junior technical staff, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, undergraduates and work-study personnel.
• Monitoring performance of trainees and subordinates, and addressing performance issues as they arise.
• Interacting with nurses on clinical research projects in collecting biological fluids, obtaining spirometry measurements, and maintaining all paperwork per IRB standards.
• Recruiting and scheduling human study participants.
• Measuring biomarkers and assuming responsibility for the treatment of samples/cells for experiments.
• Collaborating with other personnel within the laboratory and investigators from other laboratories.
• Designing protocols and overseeing processing and analysis of collected specimens for immunohistological, biochemical, and molecular techniques including microscopy analysis, immunohistochemistry, histological analysis, Western blotting, ELISA, and other techniques.
• Participating in lab meetings and seminars.
• Assisting the Principal Investigator with preparing figures, data sets and written text for grants and publications.
• Serving as liaison of laboratory to Departmental and University administration.
• Analyzing and interpreting acquired data, including appropriate statistical analyses; preparing data summary reports, including tables and figures and making recommendations for future studies.
• Assisting Principal Investigator with writing grants and manuscripts for publication, including reading and interpreting primary scientific literature and preparing written summaries of this material.
• Planning and coordinating experimental timelines including scheduling other technical staff, students and post-docs to complete experimental tasks.
• Developing and optimizing new laboratory techniques including writing laboratory SOPs and training other laboratory personnel on such SOPs.
• Performing scientific literature searches and utilizing such literature to develop SOPs and advising the principal investigator on appropriate technical approaches.
• Overseeing the operation of gel doc, RT-PCR, flow cytometer, nanodrop, spectrophotometric plate reader, light and fluorescent microscope, and Western blotting equipment; addressing needs for instrument repair and maintenance.
• Keeping track of Institutional Biosafety Committee approvals, Radiation Safety, Control substance logs, EH&S, and DCM training and annual updates for all laboratory personnel so that the lab is in compliance with these offices.
• Ensuring all other laboratory personnel are up-to-date on required annual laboratory and animal usage training.

Benefits

• The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED