Research Technician III

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

22d•$23 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

NOTICE - This job is an hourly version of our existing salaried role. This version of the job should only be used for employees below the government-mandated, minimum FLSA pay threshold. All other employees should be placed in the salaried version of this role. This role participates in planned research projects by performing research protocols with minimal direction and guidance from the principal investigator, program director or senior scientists. May exercise moderate discretion and judgment in the execution and interpretation of experiments, and of data derived. A research technician position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Robert B. Wilson in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/University of Pennsylvania. Our laboratory studies mitochondrial disorders, focusing on Friedreich ataxia (FA), a progressive neuro- and cardio-degenerative disorder. Our lab is primarily translational: we are studying cellular pathways underlying FA pathophysiology with the goal of identifying and testing drugs and drug targets that might ameliorate the disease. To that end we have developed cell-based models of FA, including iPSC-derived sensory neurons and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. We have also developed a zebrafish model of FA, which allows us to extend our testing of pathways, drugs, and drug targets in a complex vertebrate organism. The candidate will work closely with other members of the research team, both on cell-based models and on the zebrafish model, in which we use biochemical and genetic approaches to elucidate disease-related pathways and to test experimental therapeutics. The candidate will also assist the research team in some administrative tasks such as ordering of reagents and supplies. CHOP is an equal opportunity employer. CHOP employees are provided with comprehensive benefits package including eligible health insurance and retirement plans (http://www.research.chop.edu/careers/working-research/benefitsinformation). CHOP and UPenn offer excellent research and training environments. The lab is committed to the success and career development of every team member. Recent publications include: Cotticelli, M. G., Xia, S., Truit, R., Doliba, N. M., Rozo, A. V., Tobias, J. W., Lee, T., Chen, J., Napierala, J. S., Napierala, M., Yang, W., Wilson, R. B.: Acute frataxin knockdown in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes activates a type I interferon response. Disease Models & Mechanisms 16(5): dmm049497, 2023. Cotticelli, M. G., Xia, S., Kaur, A., Lin, D., Wang, Y., Ruff, E., Tobias, J. W., Wilson, R. B.: Identification of p38 MAPK as a novel therapeutic target for Friedreich's ataxia. Scientific Reports 8(1): 5007, 2018. Cotticelli, M. G., Xia, S., Lin, D., Lee, T., Lin, D., Terrab, L., Wipf, P., Huryn, D., Wilson, R. B.: Ferroptosis as a novel therapeutic target for Friedreich's ataxia. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 369: 47-54, 2019 UPenn faculty page: https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p17112 CHOP page: https://www.chop.edu/doctors/wilson-robert-b Applicant should submit a cover letter detailing her/his research background and interest, why she/he is interested in joining the lab, a current CV

Requirements

High School Diploma / GED - Required
At least two (2) years of related classroom experience or successful completion of a technical training program (eg. Wistar, WPSI) and research laboratory experience - Required
Advanced understanding of lab procedures, protocols, and equipment.
Intermediate proficiency with lab specific experiments / techniques.
Intermediate scientific analysis skills.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills
Excellent organizational skills
Strong critical thinking / problem-solving skills
Strong analytical skills

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree - Preferred
At least three (3) years of related classroom experience or successful completion of a technical training program (eg. Wistar, WPSI) and research laboratory experience - Preferred

Responsibilities

Performs research procedures on experimental samples with minimal supervision
Formulates and performs complex lab experiments and analyzes/ reports the data
Performs tasks that require knowledge of advanced techniques and lab equipment
Performs advanced calculations and maintains appropriate log and lab notebooks
Assists with planning specific research protocols and procedures
Assists in development & troubleshooting of new techniques and ideas
May be required to modify scientific methods and protocols (in conjunction with PI)
Checks others' results for completeness and accuracy
May be responsible for training and mentoring new staff
May assist in the preparation of grants journal articles, posters and oral presentations
May perform routine and non-routine tests / experiments as needed
Maintains office, lab area, reagents, supplies and equipment
Performs routine maintenance on lab equipment
Coordinates schedules of tests & procedures
Attends courses, seminars, and lab meetings to expand knowledge of research and laboratory techniques
Records results, organizes data and maintains lab notebook in an organized manner
Conducts literary searches as required