Research Technician - Infectious Disease and Global Health

Tufts University • Grafton, MA

20d

About The Position

The Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine brings together expertise in public and population health, international medicine, wildlife and conservation medicine, and infectious disease research. Its research aims to advance understanding of pathogen biology and host interactions, particularly for tickborne diseases, and to use that knowledge to develop treatments and prevention.

Under the direction and guidance of a Principal Investigator and senior research scientists, the Research Technician assists with experiments using phylogenomics and transcriptomics to study the evolution of tickborne pathogens, and genetic manipulation of ticks and Lyme disease bacteria to investigate vector-pathogen-host interactions. The role also supports tick and animal health monitoring, husbandry, animal necropsy and infection, data analysis, manuscript preparation, presenting and archiving experimental data, and general laboratory maintenance. Other related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, biological, or physical sciences.
• Previous experience working in a research laboratory.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience conducting an independent research project in a research laboratory.
• Prior experience working with laboratory model animals or wildlife animals in a laboratory or field setting.
• Prior experience working with infectious agents in a Biosafety Level 2 environment.
• Coursework in ecology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, and/or immunology.
• Experience with bioinformatic tools for evolutionary or transcriptomics analysis, or statistical or scripting software such as SPSS, R, and Python.

Responsibilities

• Test the efficiency of Lyme disease bacterial infection in wild and domestic birds and rodents using ticks carrying Lyme disease bacteria.
• Conduct phylogenomic and transcriptomic analyses of bacterial, tick, and animal-host determinants relevant to vector-pathogen-host interactions.
• Genetically manipulate bacteria and ticks to investigate the role of vector and bacterial determinants in vector-pathogen-host interactions.
• Maintain and care for tick and animal colonies.
• Analyze data and assist with manuscript preparation, presentations, and archiving experimental data.
• Perform general laboratory maintenance, including restocking and ordering supplies, organizing the laboratory, cleaning glassware, disposing of hazardous and biohazardous waste, autoclaving, minor equipment maintenance, and preparing solutions.
• Assist with animal health monitoring, animal necropsy, and animal infection.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level