Research Technician - Term Biological Sciences - Behringer Lab

Vanderbilt University • Nashville, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The TERM Research Technician is part of the Behringer Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University and is a key member of the research team responsible for supporting the research, organization, and day-to-day operations of the lab. This position requires skills in microbial cell culture, nucleic acid extraction, and project organization. Reporting directly to Dr. Megan Behringer (Principal Investigator), the Research Assistant will regularly work with the other members of the Behringer Lab to oversee long-term culture of various anaerobic and aerobic bacteria, including Lactobacilli and Escherichia coli. Applicants with experience conducting experimental evolution or anerobic microbial cell culture are strongly preferred. We are a young and vibrant team dedicated to understanding fundamental biological processes in a collaborative environment. The major research focus of this position is understanding how oxygen exposure shapes microbial evolution, which aligns with the global lab interests of how microbes evolve in stressful environments. This position would be a wonderful opportunity for recent graduates looking for an interim position to gain valuable research experience prior to pursuing a graduate degree.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in fields of Biology, Ecology/Evolutionary Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or other related area.
• A minimum of 1 year research experience is required.
• Prior experience in bacterial culture is necessary.
• Prior experience in conducting DNA extraction is necessary.
• Ability to work with others in a mutually respectful environment that values honesty, integrity, and accountability is necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working with anaerobic bacteria is preferred.
• Applicants with experience conducting experimental evolution or anerobic microbial cell culture are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the long-term culture of experimental populations including maintaining inventory of key media and reagents; coordinating daily transfers, periodic screening for contamination, and collections at key timepoints; and ensuring the glassware and spent cultures are appropriately sterilized. This is the major mission of the lab and underlies the majority of our investigation into how microbes adapt to stress.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction from long-term experimental cultures and prepare sample for submission to the genomic sequencing core facility.
• Help optimize new culture strategies to expand investigation to additional anerobic bacterial species.
• Other duties as assigned

What This Job Offers

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